Posted on 07/01/2004 6:08:11 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
NEW YORK - The cost of a nose job could soon be nothing to sneeze at in New Jersey.
People who have unnecessary cosmetic surgery in the state will soon have to start paying a 6 percent tax for their procedure if Gov. James McGreevey signs a budget that was passed last week by the state Legislature.
It will be the first time a tax has ever been placed on a surgical procedure in America.
The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Wayne R. Bryant and Democratic Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, imposes a 6 percent tax on certain cosmetic medical procedures that are directed at improving the patient's appearance and that do not promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
That sounds like a great idea. Then we can tax braces, clothing and haircuts!
Oh wait, they already tax that kinda stuff.
Hmmm.
The new tax will give their financial base a lift, while others are tightening their budgets.
Politicians' mottos, "If it breaths, tax it at every step in life. Then when it dies, TAX IT SOME MORE!"
If Ah-nuld did this in California it would be out of the red.
State revenues must be sagging...
But seriesly, a 6% surcharge on a $5500 breast implant is $330, enough money for many NJers to go to New York.
Reminds me of the luxury tax on boats and cars a few years back.
Every doctor/cosmetic surgeon will still say it's for a "deviated septum". That's what a couple of docs told me, anyway. That way it's covered by insurance. (BTW, I didn't do it.)
Way to put your own doctors out of business, guys! Geez!
PS: Do they tax tattoos in NJ?
It also reminds of the Florio tax on heavy trucks. The amount of revenue collected on that tax was $0, since 6% of $200,000+ is $12,000 or more -- and nobody purchased heavy trucks in New Jersey after the tax was imposed.
Secondly, what about people who are having reconstructive surgery after an accident or a fire? They should not be taxed to be made whole again. This stinks!
Somebody read the Mary Carey for Governor "platform".
The problem is this idiot will get reelected. Bush needs to hit Jersey hard during the campaign. Florio, errr McGreevy has taxed everything. Today Schundler and others are in court suing about this.
I could see the Bush ad:
McGreevy another tax and spend liberal. Kerry, to the left of McGreevy.
You can either keep your money or give it to the Democrats to spend for you. In November, it is your choice.
What do you want to be that a sex-change operation will be exempted from this tax as "necessary surgery"?
be = bet
Taxation can have a disastrous impact on a states economy and this is one of them. The state is small and surrounded by bigger states close by. Those who can afford these types of procedures will just get it done in another state where it is not taxed. The Doctors, fed up with liberal malpractice laws there too, decides to follow their patients in other states. All the businesses that support those doctors suffer and many go belly up. And instead of revenues going up (a money grab) they go down (revenue loss.
This is all caused by Tax differentials. I saw it in the Massachusetts miracle. Don't think that John Kerry wouldn't give us a Massachusetts Miracle in a moment.
"The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Wayne R. Bryant and Democratic Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, imposes a 6 percent tax on certain cosmetic medical procedures that are directed at improving the patient's appearance and that do not promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease."
Can't wait for the Democrats to suggest this in California......ROTFLMAO!
I swear sooner or letter we are going to have a oxygen tax. Jersey will probably start the process.
Finally, it is a dead certainty that 1) people of means will both leave the state and stop moving in, 2) the plastic surgery business will disappear in much of NJ, and 3) the state's tax take will actually drop.
All of these results are inevitable and predictable.
How long will it be before McGreevey institutes a "scratch you ass" tax?
He must really want to ensure that NJ's remarkable recovery is squashed, squandered, and suppressed enough to keep NJ from going for the President.
Anyone suggest a "corrupt politician tax" to him?
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