N.M. enforces tax on TV, video games
Joanna Styczen, Daily Vidette Staff
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News
A tax on televisions and video games is projected to help get children off the couch and out the door. A coalition of groups in New Mexico wants lawmakers to create a fund that would help raise money for outdoor education throughout the state.
An estimated $4 million a year would be raised to fund outdoor programs.
The No Child Left Inside Fund would place an additional one percent tax on all televisions, video games and video game equipment sold throughout New Mexico to fund the outdoor education programs.
"I don't think it's right. People have the choice between sitting around playing games all day, and being active," Mike Kelley, therapeutic recreation major and avid video game player, said.
"Everyone that plays shouldn't be punished because certain people are lazy. A one percent tax isn't going to make people stop buying games, go outside or change their ways," Kelley said.
Although this tax is being proposed in New Mexico, its passage in Illinois and most other states is proving to be highly unlikely. Since 2001, courts have ruled repeatedly that video games are considered to be protected speech. Limiting the sale of them in any way can be considered a violation of the First Amendment.
"I don't think anyone in Illinois will really be affected by this tax. I don't think it would pass here. They've already tried legislating video games in Illinois," Jim Schifeling, owner of Acme Comics, a Normal store that sells video games, said.
"The legislation claimed that people would have to show their ID's when purchasing games because of their ratings. That didn't work," Schifeling said.
Supporters of the tax claim that video games are causing children to spend more time sitting on the couch rather than being active outdoors. They also say that outdoor programs help children do better at school and boost their self confidence.
However, not everyone agrees with their opinions. Some claim that poor grades and laziness cannot be solely contributed to video games and television.
According to Schifeling, determining if video games and television are keeping children from being active and healthy would require one to look at a specific child. He also claims that parents, who purchased the games for their kids in the first place, bring on the effects.
"Some kids may be affected, some may not. I wasn't. I played video games when I was a kid and still found time to go outside… and get into trouble," Schifeling said.
An estimated $4 million a year would be raised to fund outdoor programs.
The No Child Left Inside Fund would place an additional one percent tax on all televisions, video games and video game equipment sold throughout New Mexico to fund the outdoor education programs.
"I don't think it's right. People have the choice between sitting around playing games all day, and being active," Mike Kelley, therapeutic recreation major and avid video game player, said.
"Everyone that plays shouldn't be punished because certain people are lazy. A one percent tax isn't going to make people stop buying games, go outside or change their ways," Kelley said.
Although this tax is being proposed in New Mexico, its passage in Illinois and most other states is proving to be highly unlikely. Since 2001, courts have ruled repeatedly that video games are considered to be protected speech. Limiting the sale of them in any way can be considered a violation of the First Amendment.
"I don't think anyone in Illinois will really be affected by this tax. I don't think it would pass here. They've already tried legislating video games in Illinois," Jim Schifeling, owner of Acme Comics, a Normal store that sells video games, said.
"The legislation claimed that people would have to show their ID's when purchasing games because of their ratings. That didn't work," Schifeling said.
Supporters of the tax claim that video games are causing children to spend more time sitting on the couch rather than being active outdoors. They also say that outdoor programs help children do better at school and boost their self confidence.
However, not everyone agrees with their opinions. Some claim that poor grades and laziness cannot be solely contributed to video games and television.
According to Schifeling, determining if video games and television are keeping children from being active and healthy would require one to look at a specific child. He also claims that parents, who purchased the games for their kids in the first place, bring on the effects.
"Some kids may be affected, some may not. I wasn't. I played video games when I was a kid and still found time to go outside… and get into trouble," Schifeling said.
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