In the current tax controversy, it seems at least one aspect of the governor's proposed Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) is underappreciated. It has to be paid directly only by large businesses.

It is a kind of "Wal-Mart tax." Large businesses, for example, in this area Archer Daniels Midland, State Farm Insurance, and Caterpillar, would pay the vast bulk. They won't move away on account of this tax.

Would the cost be passed on to buyers, to other businesses and consumers? Some of it surely; surely, not all.

But what about the part passed on? That is the real beauty of the tax. It gets passed by these businesses to buyers all over the country, even all over the world, not just to consumers in Illinois. It is a wonderful deal for us.

Those proposing a different tax arrangement ought to say how it compares with the GRT in terms of raising money from out of state.

Michael Brun

Urbana