Pennsylvania sales taxes account for more than $9 billionannually in revenue for the state.
The latest round of budget negotiations included legalizing fireworks in Pennsylvania and taxing those sales at 12 percent on top of the state's 6 percent sales tax.
More:No York County tax increase for 2018
In 2016, legislation also added taxes to digital downloads and upped the taxes on table gambling and cigarettes. This year, there is a proposal to borrow $1.5 billion from Pennsylvania's share of a multi-state tobacco settlement.
But, some of the items taxed seem incongruent, capricious and just plain odd.
Here are some of those items:
Comics andBibles are taxed, newspapers and mail order catalogs are not.
Magazines bought in shops are taxed. The same magazines are exempt if you have a subscription.
More:Pa. residents could buy bigger fireworks - but they'll be heavily taxed
Bridal dresses are taxed. Girdles and garter belts are not.
Men's ties are not taxed; prom dresses are.
The vast majority of toiletries -- makeup, beauty cream, hair gel, bath soap, etc., etc. -- are taxed.
Your toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss are not.
Suntan lotion and sunblock are taxed. Sunburn lotions are not.
Vegetable seeds are taxed, unless they are bought with food stamps. Then, they are not.
Bottled, flavored coffee is not taxed. Fresh, brewed, hot coffee is.
Pumpkins for decorations are taxed. Pumpkins for food are not.
Acne cleansers are taxed, but acne treatments are not.
Diaper creams are tax exempt, baby powder is not.
Baby formula is not taxed, breast pumps are.
Castor and cod liver oil are tax free,Eucalyptus oil is not.
Cigarettes are heavily taxed, smoking deterrents are not.
Pregnancy test kits are taxed. Condoms are not.
