On Tuesday, the administration gave the evergreen light for a new fee of 15 cents on all Christmas trees. But after a day of media attention and widespread criticism, the Obama administration confirmed to POLITICO that they were looking to delay the implementation of the fee.
“USDA is going to delay implementation and revisit this action,” said Matt Lehrich, a White House spokesman, while denying that the fee was a tax.
“I can tell you unequivocally that the Obama Administration is not taxing Christmas trees. What’s being talked about here is an industry group deciding to impose fees on itself to fund a promotional campaign, similar to how the dairy producers have created the “Got Milk?” campaign,” Lehrich said.
The new tax was meant to raise funds for an advertising campaign promoting the benefits of live trees, as opposed to artificial ones. The tax was expected to raise approximately $2 million, according to McClatchy News.
Conservatives had been in an uproar about the new tax.
“Does anyone in America - anyone? - believe that Christmas trees have a bad image that needs taxpayer-subsidized improvement?” wrote Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) on his blog Wednesday. “All I want for Christmas is a free market.” ... Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/67933.html
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