Sales tax holiday isn't celebrated by all

JIM MAHONEY / DMN

Erica Alexander (left), 16, and Jazzay Jabbar, 17, had their arms full Friday at Macy's in the Galleria.

Savings from not paying 8.25 percent on most clothing, shoes and backpacks priced under $100 this weekend may help pay for an additional shirt or pair of jeans for some families. For others it's really chump change.

But in reality, it means less revenue for the state and no additional business for retailers.

Those foregone tax dollars may be why a neighborhood library closes early two days a week, or elderly can't get assistance from a state agency in business to help them, consumer advocates say.

And the frenzied buying stimulated by the tax-free holiday causes credit card debt to balloon.

Tax-free shopping may have a lot of whoopla associated with it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its critics.