20 July 2005 (Wednesday)
can't catch a break
Massachusetts has planned a tax-free shopping holiday for Saturday, August 13. In the past, I've been moderately put-out that such days are always on Saturdays, when we (and other shomer Shabbat Jews) cannot shop and therefore cannot participate. So, when I first heard that the Legislature is considering extending the tax breaks for the entire weekend for the explicit purpose of including observant Jews, I was delighted. Until I checked my calendar again and realized that Sunday, August 14, is Tisha B'Av, a day of fasting and mourning, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Shopping is generally a no-no on that day.
I really, really appreciate the intention here. If it were just about any other weekend, I would be delighted, and we would certainly make a point of doing our part to stimulate the economy. But I fear that, with this set-up, the Legislature will move to accommodate us, see little effect, and refuse to do it in the future.
Tisha B'av does have that "chatzi laHashem, chatzi lachem" thing going for it. You could go shopping in the evening, if you're mobile enough.
Yeah, it's a stretch. :-)
Yeah, but the issue is not whether you or I or any other individual can go shopping that day. I think it's reasonable to assume that the vast majority of shomer Shabbat Jews who may otherwise take advantage of the Sunday extension will not do so this year, and that the Legislature will therefrom draw the conclusion that it was a worthless extension and will not do it int he future.
so why not write a letter to someone in the legislature explaining the situation, thanking them, and asking them to try again next year (after checking a calendar).
Felicia - I already called my Representative to inform his office of the issue, left a message at the JCRC, and spoke with Rabbi G (who is planning to communicate concerns over the issue to the appropriate people).
Last year when they had a similar deal it applied to online purchases made Saturday evening as well. This year that doesn't really help as Saturday evening is also tisha b'av. Now as someone who lives in RI and shops in MA the MA tax amnesty would be more annoying than helpful to me... I'd have to somehow remember to pay the full 7% RI tax on anything I happened to buy in MA that day, as opposed to the 2% difference. Of course I could just not shop in MA that day...
I've emailed our state rep about this, and since he's also a friend to whom we give mishloach minot every year, I imagine he'll listen... (And it's possible we have the same rep.)
I thought shopping in MA was always tax free? Or maybe it's just the Boston area?
thegk, I think I want to know where you shop, before it gets closed down.
That said, I think clothing under $175 is normally exempt. (There's nothing in my wardrobe anywhere near that amount, but your mileage may vary.)
