Juneau Assembly asks voters to decide on marijuana tax and permanent sales tax

Juneau voters will be asked three questions on the October ballot affecting sales taxes: Should marijuana be taxed an extra 3 percent, like alcohol? Should the long-standing 3 percent “temporary” sales tax be renewed another five years? And should that “temporary” sales tax become permanent?

The Juneau Assembly voted Monday to put those questions on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot.

Assemblywoman Debbie White supported the marijuana ordinance.

“The industry themselves said, ‘Treat us like the alcohol industry,’” White said. “So that’s what we’re doing — exactly what they asked for.”

Making the 3 percent sales tax on retail, rentals and other services permanent, if enacted, would start in July 2022. The community has renewed the “temporary” sales tax every five years for decades.

Both White and Assemblyman Jerry Nankervis objected. White said it excluded younger generations from having a say.

Nankervis, who called into the meeting, said the recurring ballot question helps keep the city in check.

“I like the fact that we have a temporary sales tax in this town,” he said. “I like the fact that voters get to give us a report card on how we’ve done.”

Mayor Ken Koelsch also proposed a resolution urging the legislature to pass a “balanced, sustainable and predictable state fiscal plan,” which the assembly adopted.

Also during the meeting, multiple assembly members and Koelsch extended their thanks to the Juneau Police Department in light of recent national news.

Correction: An earlier version of this story omitted one of the ballot questions that voters will decide in October.  Voters will also be asked to renew the temporary 3 percent sales tax. 

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