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Videogame Tax Stopped in New Mexico
The Video Game Voters Network has sent out an email about a proposed tax on videogames in New Mexico died in committee in the legislature. The bill was being proposed by supporters the Sierra Club that wanted to use revenue from the sales tax to fund and advertising campaign to get kids to use their public parks. The bill failed to get enough votes (9-0 actually) to move out of committee.
Here in Washington we have a sales tax on most items and services sold in the state including videogames but with the exception of "Sin Tax" items like alcoholic beverages and cigarettes they are taxed at the same rate. This legislation was an attempt to make videogames a "Sin Tax" item.
As videogame player and an environmentalist I see the advantages for a community to have public green space used by kids but I don't think it is wholly appropriate to target something not directly related to parks such as videogames.
I think it's the responsibility of the parents and the community to get their kids to their parks and to keep them active. That is what my folks did.
Except I guess your local park is a great place to go play some Nintendo DS and read a book under a tree.
The email was a follows.
New Mexico Game Tax Defeated A Victory for the Game Community
The proposed New Mexico video game tax was defeated and is no longer a threat! This is an important victory for our community and the Video Game Voters Network.
Last week, VGVN members in New Mexico sent letters to their state legislators to denounce the proposed bill that subjected video game purchases to an additional tax. Thanks in part to the swift action of New Mexico members, the New Mexico House Business and Industry Committee rejected the bill on a 9-0 vote. Many New Mexico legislators had never heard a constituent defend video games. By taking this step, members across the country can actively participate in defending future legislation.
The Sierra Club of New Mexico supported a video games tax to fund a government campaign to promote outdoor education for children. Adam Thierer, senior fellow at the Progress & Freedom Foundation, disagrees with such a tax. In an editorial on CNET.com, he wrote "legislators shouldn't be using the tax code to play the role of nanny for our kids. It is the responsibility and right of parents to determine how their kids are raised."
Proposed laws, like the one in New Mexico, put the fight for video games in perspective. We must continually remind our elected officials that as voters, gamers, developers, and parents, we will not support video games being singled out and treated differently than movies, books and television. When we do stand up and fight, we win.
Jake at March 7, 2008 
Games
Comments
The only reason I went outside as a kid was because of how dim my gameboy's screen was. Broken contrast knob = fresh air
Posted by: Alan at March 7, 2008 11:35 AM
"They won't notice the 1% tax..."
...No. The words, "slippery slope," come to mind. I hope they wouldn't mind if I try to pass a 1% tax increase on daily use permits in state parks because I think their technological infrastructure is inadequate. Then next year, I'll raise it to 2%. Maybe 4% the year after. They won't notice, after all, when they can see where the money is going to.
Posted by: Robert at March 7, 2008 7:00 PM
Well the money was going to go to a state goverment program to encourage kids to use the parks more. Not actually for the parks. Shouldn't the Sierra Club of New Mexico be thinking about doing actual enviromental conservation stuff. I mean here in Western Washington the envoromental groups have a big freaking problem with the Puget Sound cleanup.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at March 7, 2008 9:47 PM
