Stupid Bills #1

Monday was the deadline for filing new bills so a slew of bills were filed since they just couldn't get around to it during the first part of the session.

They are starting to slip in bills charging all of the little fees and surcharges because they there isn't enough support to raise the sales tax or income tax like the did last year (to the tune of $600 million).

Rep. Phillip Jackson (R-Berryville) filed HB 2838 which the eye of the Democrat Gazette in today's edition. The bill will require a 5 cent tax for buying gas with a credit/debit card at the pump. The money is supposed to be used for the proposed highway bill.

One problem is that this probably violates the contract that the credit cards have with businesses that require them to charge the same for a credit card as they would for cash.

This bill really ticks me off because I like the convenience of using a credit card at the pump (and should not have to pay for that) so I don't have to go inside the smoky, dirty store to begin with...

(By the way if you want to view any bill or its status here is the link: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us)