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Republicans oppose proposed storage-unit tax and removal of advanced-computing surcharge cap
Summary
At a GOP press availability, leaders criticized several tax proposals under consideration: HB 1907 (applying B&O and sales tax to storage-unit transactions), HB 1839 (eliminating a $9,000,000 cap on the advanced-computing surcharge), HB 1356 (raising per-pupil levy caps) and HB 2019 (estate tax changes). They said the measures would burden working families, renters and small businesses.
Republican leaders at the press availability singled out several pending tax proposals as unfair or counterproductive.
On HB 1907, which would apply business and B&O tax and sales tax to storage-unit transactions, a Senate Republican leader called the idea "kinda crazy," saying storage units serve many renters who lack adequate in-home storage and that taxing storage would be an "anti-renter tax." "It's crazy that you would tax somebody for storing their possessions," one Republican said.
On HB 1839 (removing a previously stated $9,000,000 cap on the advanced-computing surcharge), GOP leaders said the surcharge supports technical education and that raising or removing the cap risks undermining a sector they described as foundational to the state's economy. "This is something that's put in place to help encourage technical education. It's working," one leader said.
Reporters also asked about HB 1356, which would raise the maximum per-pupil limit for enrichment levies, and HB 2019, changes to the estate tax. Republicans argued the per-pupil change risks increasing inequities between wealthy and rural districts and said HB 2019's tie of exemptions to CPI is modestly positive but that the bill otherwise makes an already high estate tax worse.
Speakers framed these proposals as part of a broader set of tax ideas — including a wealth tax, payroll or 'jump start' tax, and a B&O surcharge — that they warned would generate multi-billion-dollar revenue streams while harming jobs and families. The availability did not include Democratic responses or legislative text; reporters were directed to bill language and committee records for specifics.
