Out of Control

No, it’s not someone commenting on the economic contribution of politicians. Rather, it’s a politician commenting on the economic contribution of big box retailers.

Montana’s Sen. Ken Toole says these retailers are like “giant straws on communities’ economies. They don’t pay their employees well and they just suck money out.”

Montana is now considering a special tax on big retailers:

The proposal now circulating would impose taxes of 1 percent on stores posting annual sales of $20 million; 1.5 percent on those with sales of $30 million-$40 million; and 2 percent on stores with more than $40 million in sales. Backers estimate the tax would have generated about $61 million in 2003.

Supporters want the money to fund projects like civic centers and baseball stadiums.