minneapolis star minnesota argued january decided march exempting periodic publications general sales use tax minnesota imposes use tax cost paper ink products consumed production publication exempts first worth paper ink consumed calendar year appellant newspaper publisher brought action seeking refund ink paper use taxes paid certain years contending tax violates inter alia guarantee freedom press first amendment minnesota upheld tax held tax question violates first amendment pp legislative history indication apart structure tax impermissible censorial motive part minnesota legislature enacting tax grosjean american press distinguished pp creating special use tax without parallel state tax scheme minnesota singled press special treatment state singles press political constraints prevent legislature imposing crippling taxes general applicability weakened threat burdensome taxes becomes acute threat operate effectively censor check critical comment press thus undercutting basic assumption political system press often serve important restraint government moreover differential treatment unless justified special characteristic press suggests goal regulation unrelated suppression expression goal presumptively unconstitutional differential treatment press places burden interests protected first amendment treatment countenanced unless state asserts counterbalancing interest compelling importance achieve without differential taxation pp minnesota offered adequate justification special treatment newspapers interest raising revenue standing alone justify treatment alternative means taxing businesses generally clearly available state offered explanation chose use substitute sales tax rather sales tax rule automatically allow state single press different method taxation long effective burden different taxpayers minnesota asserts lighter businesses avoided possibility error inherent rule poses great threat concerns heart first amendment pp minnesota ink paper tax violates first amendment singles press also targets small group newspapers effect exemption handful publishers state pay tax even fewer pay significant amount tax recognize power state single press also tailor tax singles members press presents potential abuse interest suggested minnesota justify scheme pp delivered opinion burger brennan marshall powell stevens joined part white joined blackmun joined white filed opinion concurring part dissenting part post rehnquist filed dissenting opinion post lawrence brown argued cause appellant briefs john french john borger norton armour paul kempainen special assistant attorney general minnesota argued cause appellee brief warren spannaus attorney general briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed peter schroth charles sims american civil liberties union et al philip lacovara terry maguire pamela riley newspapers et al justice delivered opinion case presents question state power impose special tax press enacting exemptions limit effect newspapers since minnesota imposed sales tax sales goods price excess nominal sum act june ch art xiii laws codified stat general tax applies retail sales ibid exemption industrial agricultural users shields tax sales components used production goods sold retail part general system taxation support sales tax see code agency rules tax minnesota also enacted tax privilege using storing consuming minnesota tangible personal property use tax applies nonexempt tangible personal property unless sales tax paid sales price stat like classic use tax use tax protects state sales tax eliminating residents incentive travel lower sales taxes buy goods rather buying minnesota appellant minneapolis star tribune star tribune publisher morning newspaper evening newspaper minneapolis enjoyed exemption sales use tax provided minnesota periodic publications laws codified stat however leaving exemption sales tax place legislature amended scheme impose use tax cost paper ink products consumed production publication act ch art laws codified modifications stat ink paper used publications became items subject use tax components goods sold retail legislature amended statute time exempt first worth ink paper consumed publication calendar year effect giving publication annual tax credit act may ch art xiii laws codified stat publications remained exempt sales tax laws enactment exemption publishers producing paid circulation newspapers state incurred tax liability star tribune one collected paid roughly total revenue raised tax see publishers producing paid circulation papers paid tax year star tribune bore roughly total receipts use tax ink paper star tribune instituted action seek refund use taxes paid january may challenged imposition use tax ink paper used publications violation guarantees freedom press equal protection first fourteenth amendments minnesota upheld tax federal constitutional challenge noted probable jurisdiction reverse ii star tribune argues must strike tax authority grosjean american press although similarities two cases agree state grosjean controlling grosjean state louisiana imposed license tax gross receipts sale advertising newspapers weekly circulation least publishers state subject tax noting tax single kind keying tax circulation curtailed flow information held tax invalid abridgment freedom press brief argument publishers emphasized events leading tax contemporary political climate louisiana see argument appellees brief appellees pp one large papers subject tax ganged senator huey long circular distributed long governor member state legislature described lying newspapers conducting vicious campaign tax tax lying sic lie although opinion describe history stated tax bad light history present setting seen deliberate calculated device guise tax limit circulation information explanation suggests motivation legislature may significant subsequent cases consistent reading grosjean point compare stating legislative purpose irrelevant grosjean houchins kqed plurality opinion suggesting purpose relevant grosjean pittsburgh press pittsburgh human relations commentators generally viewed grosjean dependent improper censorial goals legislature see emerson system freedom expression tribe american constitutional law think result grosjean may attributable part perception part state imposed tax intent penalize selected group newspapers case currently us however legislative history indication apart structure tax impermissible censorial motive part legislature resolve case simple citation grosjean instead must analyze problem anew general principles first amendment iii clearly first amendment prohibit regulation press beyond dispute federal government subject newspapers generally applicable economic regulations without creating constitutional problems see citizen publishing antitrust laws lorain journal breard alexandria prohibition solicitation oklahoma press publishing walling fair labor standards act mabee white plains publishing associated press antitrust laws associated press nlrb national labor relations act see also branzburg hayes enforcement subpoenas minnesota however chosen apply general sales use tax newspapers instead created special tax applies certain publications protected first amendment although state argues tax paper ink part general scheme taxation use tax provision quoted supra facially discriminatory singling publications treatment knowledge unique minnesota tax law minnesota treatment publications differs enterprises least two important respects imposes use tax serve function protecting sales tax taxes intermediate transaction rather ultimate retail sale use tax ordinarily serves complement sales tax eliminating incentive make major purchases lower sales taxes requires resident shops pay use tax equal sales tax savings national geographic society california board equalization hartman federal limitations state local taxation warren schlesinger sales use taxes interstate commerce pays way colum rev minnesota designed overall use tax scheme serve function regulations state use tax compensating complementary tax code agency rules tax see stat thus general items exempt sales tax subject use tax event sales tax exemption complementary function use tax serve see deluxe check printers commissioner tax use tax ink paper serves complementary function applies uses whether taxpayer purchased ink paper instate applies items exempt sales tax ordinary rule minnesota discussed tax ultimate retail sale rather use components like ink paper statutory scheme devise unitary tax exempts intermediate transactions imposes sales finished product purchased ultimate user standard packaging commissioner revenue publishers however taxed purchase components even though eventually sell publications retail creating special use tax knowledge without parallel state tax scheme minnesota singled press special treatment must determine whether first amendment permits special taxation tax burdens rights protected first amendment stand unless burden necessary achieve overriding governmental interest see lee tax press must pay course imposes burden observed see supra long upheld economic regulation press cases approving economic regulation however emphasized general applicability challenged regulation business oklahoma press publishing walling supra mabee white plains publishing supra associated press nlrb supra suggesting regulation singled press might place heavier burden justification state conclude special problems created differential treatment indeed impose burden substantial evidence differential taxation press troubled framers first amendment role press mobilizing sentiment favor independence critical revolution constitution proposed without explicit guarantee freedom press antifederalists objected proponents constitution relying principle enumerated powers responded guarantee unnecessary constitution granted congress power control press remarks richard henry lee typical rejoinders antifederalists confess see cases congress pretence right make law suppress freedom press though clear congress restrained laying duties whatever printing laying duties particularly heavy certain pieces printed lee observation leading fair examination system government letter iv reprinted schwartz bill rights documentary history fears antifederalists well founded power tax differentially opposed power tax generally gives government powerful weapon taxpayer selected state imposes generally applicable tax little cause concern need fear government destroy selected group taxpayers burdensome taxation must impose burden rest constituency see railway express agency new york jackson concurring state singles press though political constraints prevent legislature passing crippling taxes general applicability weakened threat burdensome taxes becomes acute threat operate effectively censor check critical comment press undercutting basic assumption political system press often serve important restraint government see generally stewart press hastings untrammeled press vital source public information grosjean informed public essence working democracy differential treatment unless justified special characteristic press suggests goal regulation unrelated suppression expression goal presumptively unconstitutional see police department chicago mosley cf brown hartlage first amendment fullest urgent application case regulation content political speech differential taxation press places burden interests protected first amendment countenance treatment unless state asserts counterbalancing interest compelling importance achieve without differential taxation iv main interest asserted minnesota case raising revenue course interest critical government standing alone however justify special treatment press alternative means achieving interest without raising concerns first amendment clearly available state raise revenue taxing businesses generally avoiding censorial threat implicit tax singles press addressing concern differential treatment minnesota invites us look beyond form tax substance tax according state merely substitute sales tax generally applicable tax constitutional applied press two fatal flaws reasoning first state offered explanation chose use substitute sales tax rather sales tax speculated state might concerned collection tax small transactions impractical suggestion unpersuasive sales goods exempt see supra real goal tax duplicate sales tax difficult see state achieve goal obvious effective expedient applying sales tax even assuming legislature valid reasons substituting another tax sales tax persuaded tax serve substitute state asserts scheme actually favors press businesses rate tax applied press rate applies cost components rather sales price hesitant fashion rule automatically allowed state single press different method taxation long effective burden different taxpayers burden press lighter businesses one reason reluctance selection press special treatment threatens press current differential treatment also possibility subsequent differentially burdensome treatment thus even without actually imposing extra burden press government might able achieve censorial effects threat sanctions may deter exercise first amendment rights almost potently actual application sanctions naacp button second reason avoid proposed rule courts institutions poorly equipped evaluate precision relative burdens various methods taxation complexities factual economic proof always present certain potential error courts little familiarity process evaluating relative economic burden taxes sum possibility error inherent proposed rule poses great threat concerns heart first amendment tolerate possibility minnesota therefore offered adequate justification special treatment newspapers minnesota ink paper tax violates first amendment singles press also targets small group newspapers effect exemption enacted handful publishers pay tax even fewer pay significant amount tax state explains exemption part policy favoring equitable tax system although comparable exemptions small enterprises outside press legislative history supporting state view purpose amendment whatever motive legislature case think recognizing power state single press also tailor tax singles members press presents potential abuse interest suggested minnesota justify scheme asserted interest desire equitable tax system current system explains promotes equity places burden large publications impose social costs smaller publications likely able bear burden tax even willing accept premise large businesses profitable therefore better able bear burden tax state commitment equity questionable concern led state grant benefits small businesses general exemption selects narrowly defined group bear full burden tax tax begins resemble penalty largest newspapers attempt favor struggling smaller enterprises vi need impugn motives minnesota legislature passing ink paper tax illicit legislative intent sine qua non violation first amendment see naacp button naacp alabama ex rel patterson lovell griffin long recognized even regulations aimed proper governmental concerns restrict unduly exercise rights protected first amendment schneider state tax singles press targets individual publications within press places heavy burden state justify action since minnesota offered satisfactory justification tax use ink paper tax violates first amendment judgment reversed footnotes amendment use tax provision read full privilege using storing consuming minnesota tangible personal property tickets admissions places amusement athletic events electricity gas local exchange telephone service purchased use storage consumption state hereby imposed every person state use tax rate four percent sales price sales retail aforementioned items made person october unless tax imposed section sales tax paid said sales price motor vehicles subject tax section shall taxed fair market value time transport minnesota motor vehicles acquired three months prior sic transport state notwithstanding provisions section contrary cost paper ink products exceeding calendar year used consumed producing publication defined section subdivision clause subject tax imposed section laws codified stat although minnesota legislature records proceedings preserves recordings specifically provided recordings considered evidence legislative intent see minnesota legislative manual rule rules house representatives rule permanent rules senate evidence legislative intent record litigation third difference worth noting though may little economic effect use tax visible consumers sales tax must law stated separately addition price see stat recognized oklahoma press flsa excluded seamen farmworkers see rejected however publisher argument exclusion workers precluded application law employees newspapers state argues oklahoma press establishes press successfully challenge regulations basis exemption enterprises disagree exempt enterprises oklahoma press isolated exceptions rule everything exempt use tax ink paper except press true opinions rarely speculate precisely framers analyzed given regulation expression general though limited evidence exactly framers intended first amendment apply recorded debates senate state discussion house representatives couched general terms perhaps response madison suggestion representatives stray simple acknowledged principles see constitution analysis interpretation doc see also chafee free speech consequently ordinarily simply apply general principles requiring government justify burdens first amendment rights showing necessary achieve legitimate overriding governmental interest see infra evidence particular law offended framers hesitated invalidate ground alone prior restraints instance clearly strike core framers concerns leading treat particularly suspect near minnesota ex rel olson cf grosjean american press relying role taxes knowledge inspiring first amendment strike contemporary tax knowledge justice rehnquist dissent analyzes case solely problem equal protection applying familiar tiers scrutiny post however view problem one arising directly first amendment discussion shows framers perceived singling press taxation means abridging freedom press see supra appropriate method analysis thus balance burden implicit singling press interest asserted state long line precedents regulation survive governmental interest outweighs burden achieved means infringe first amendment rights significantly see lee naacp alabama ex rel patterson cf lee supra generally applicable tax may applied religious objections star tribune insists premise state argument generally applicable sales tax constitutional incorrect citing follett mccormick murdock pennsylvania jones opelika think breard alexandria relevant rebuts star tribune argument upheld ordinance prohibiting solicitation even though applied prevent sale subscriptions magazines activity covered first amendment although martin struthers struck similar ordinance applied distribution free religious literature breard explained case emphasizing information distributed religious nature distribution noncommercial dissent breard recognized majority opinion substantially undercut martin cases relied upon star tribune invalidated ordinances imposing flat license tax sale religious literature see black dissenting since decision reconciled jones murdock martin struthers cases seems good judicial practice calls forthright overruling whatever value cases authority breard think distinguishable generally applicable sales tax cases local government imposed flat tax unrelated receipts income speaker expenses administering valid regulatory scheme condition right speak imposing tax condition engaging protected activity defendants cases imposed form prior restraint speech rendering tax highly susceptible constitutional challenge follett supra murdock supra jones opelika stone dissenting reasoning approved rehearing see grosjean american press see generally near minnesota ex rel olson regard cases cited star tribune resemble generally applicable sales tax indeed cases consistently recognized nondiscriminatory taxes receipts income newspapers permissible branzburg hayes dictum grosjean american press supra dictum cf follett supra preacher subject taxes income property dictum murdock supra dictum justice rehnquist dissent explains collecting sales taxes newspapers entails special problems unusual marketing practices newspapers sales vending machines newsstands instance post dissent however explain state resolve problems using methods used items like chewing gum candy marketed unusual ways subject sales tax see stat vi viii defining sale food vending machines sale see also dealing vending machine operators justice rehnquist fears imposition sales tax mean vending machine prices instead prices publishers retaining extra per paper price publishers absorbing tax post difficult see use tax rectifies problem increases publishers costs increase penny use taxes forces publishers choose pass exact increment along consumers raising price finished product increase price nickel retain extra per paper leave price absorb tax justice rehnquist dissent deprecates concern asserting threat invalidate differentially burdensome tax post assertion provide security certain courts always prove able identify differentially burdensome taxes question explore infra always avoided evaluating relative burdens different methods taxation certain cases involving state taxation federal government business see washington ante county fresno since mcculloch maryland wheat supremacy clause prohibited state taxation discriminates federal government also direct taxation federal government see generally new mexico spite rule direct taxation federal government remain free impose economic incidence tax federal government long tax discriminatory county fresno supra situation valid state interest requiring federal enterprises bear share tax burden often justify use differential methods taxation explained washington washington merely accommodated fact may impose tax directly ante special rule prohibiting direct taxation federal government permitting imposition equivalent economic burden government may justify state use different methods taxation may also force us within limits see washington ante compare burdens two different taxes nothing however prevents state taxing press manner taxes enterprises achieve interest requiring press bear share burden taxing press manner taxes taxation necessary achieve goals justice white insists regularly inquires economic effect taxes relying number cases arising due process clause commerce clause cases cited struck state taxes inequality tax burden admitted halliburton oil well cementing reily able see tax produced grossly distorted result norfolk western missouri state tax emphasis added cases required taxpayer show gross overreaching recognizing vastness state taxing power latitude exercise power must given encounters constitutional restraints ibid see alaska arctic maid delicate cherished first amendment rights stake however constitutional tolerance error diminishes drastically risk increases courts prove unable apply accurately finely tuned standards state employed method taxation applied lower rate press doubt legislature singling press bear burdensome tax course position evaluate relative burdens given clarity relative burdens well rule differential methods taxation automatically permissible less burdensome lower tax rate press raise threat legislature might later impose extra burden escape detection courts see supra thus decision dissent suggests require minnesota impose greater tax burden publications disparaging concern complexities economic proof justice rehnquist dissent undertakes calculate hypothetical sales tax liability star tribune years post undertaking think illustrates problems inhere inquiry see generally musgrave musgrave public finance theory practice ed detailing complexities calculating burden tax cf evaluating excess burden taxes quantitative evidence sketchy underlying procedures necessarily crude first calculation newspaper tells us nothing relative impact tax newspapers years since newspapers receive substantial portion revenues advertising see generally newsprint information committee newspaper newsprint facts glance ed necessarily true even profitable newspapers price finished product exceed cost inputs consequently necessary tax imposed components less burdensome tax rate imposed price product although relationship star tribune revenues circulation revenues advertising may result lower tax burden use tax relationship need hold newspapers time second dissent assumes elsewhere post sales tax increases price price increase presumably cause decrease demand decrease demand may lead lower total revenues therefore lower total sales tax burden calculated dissent see generally samuelson economics ed musgrave musgrave public finance theory practice ed necessary designing fiscal policies allow private sector respond dissent calculations characterized hypothetical taking chance calculations others like erroneous risk first amendment forbids publishers paid tax three paid less another three paid less star tribune one two publishers paying paid publishers paid tax three paid less four paid less year star tribune paid one two publishers incurring liability greater see nn cf mabee white plains publishing upholding exemption fair labor standards act small weekly semiweekly newspapers purpose exemption put papers parity small town enterprises conclusion renders unnecessary address star tribune arguments exemption violates principles buckley valeo stewart dry goods lewis justice white concurring part dissenting part case difficult exemption first paper ink limits burden minnesota tax papers feature alone sufficient reason invalidate minnesota tax reverse judgment minnesota recognizes minnesota tax violates first amendment reason subscribe part opinion concur judgment found fully sufficient grounds decision need go question whether minnesota another state may impose use tax paper ink targeted small group newspapers left another day however undertakes task today crux issue whether minnesota justified imposing use tax paper ink lieu applying general sales tax publications concludes state offered satisfactory explanation selecting substitute sales tax ante end matter minnesota tax invalid second reason nevertheless moves opine state impose tax even effective burden different taxpayers burden press lighter businesses ante fear government might use tax threatened sanction achieve censorial purpose justice rehnquist demonstrates post proposition government threatens first amendment favoring press questionable sake argument let pass despite struck tax three separate reasons still finished second reason eschew inquiry relative burden taxation presented submits courts institutions poorly equipped evaluate precision relative burdens various methods taxation ante except seems cases involving sovereign immunity made clear agree courts incompetent evaluate burdens taxation must decline task case acknowledges cases involving state taxation federal government business compared burden two different taxes ante see county fresno city detroit apparent able determine whether state imposed economic incidence tax discriminatory fashion upon federal government incompetent determine whether tax imposes discriminatory treatment upon press rationale unique set cases nevertheless force us assume duty incompetent perform wholly unsatisfactory convinced inherent incapacity tax analysis taken path chosen today simply prohibited imposing compensatory equivalent economic burden deal federal government done moreover frequently examined without complaint actual effect tax determining whether state imposed impermissible burden interstate commerce run afoul due process clause number cases concerning railroad taxes example considered tax burden decide whether equivalent property tax invalid tax interstate commerce compared burden use taxes competing products sister sales taxes products sold decide whether former constituted discrimination interstate commerce henneford silas mason also measured tax burdens cases considering whether state tax formulas proportion amount business violate due process see moorman mfg bair hans rees sons north carolina sum professed inability determine tax poses actual threat constitutional principles novel concept one belied lessons experience may cases recognize confidently ascertain whether differential method taxation imposes greater burden upon press generally applicable tax circumstances may unwilling entrust freedom press uncertain economic proof justice rehnquist clearly shows post case since plainly evident minneapolis star disadvantaged almost certainly benefited use tax sales tax agree first amendment forbids state choose one method taxation another see alaska arctic maid alaska occupational tax collected freezer ships rate value salmon discriminatory alaskan canneries pay tax value salmon obtained canning see norfolk western missouri state tax holding property tax rolling stock based mileage formula violated due process hen taxpayer comes forward strong evidence tending prove mileage formula yield grossly distorted result particular case state obliged counter evidence great northern minnesota find nothing record indicate tax consideration plus already collected exceeds legitimate ordinary tax property valued part going concern relatively higher taxes kinds property pullman richardson see also pullman richardson cudahy packing minnesota express minnesota galveston texas henneford tax imposed privilege using products coming excepted tax property sale use already subjected equal greater tax speaking justice cardozo upheld use tax noting hen account made stranger afar subject greater burdens consequence ownership dweller within gates see also halliburton oil well cementing reily holding use tax burden went beyond sales tax constituted invalid discriminatory burden commerce scripto carson upholding use tax complement sales tax justice rehnquist dissenting today learn state runs afoul first amendment proscription laws abridging freedom speech press state structures taxing system advantage newspapers seems much akin protecting something overzealously end smothered purports rely intent framers first amendment believe safe assume abridge meant thing means today diminish curtail decision case nearly two centuries adoption first amendment read prohibit activities way diminish curtail freedoms protects agree first amendment per se prevent state minnesota regulating press even though regulation imposes economic burden evident numerous cases relied need repeat principle long settled ante agree application general sales use taxes press sanctioned line cases ante therefore also agree extent holds constitutional attack minnesota scheme must aimed classifications used taxing scheme ante point part company colleagues recognizes several parts opinion state minnesota avoid constitutional problems imposing newspapers sales tax imposes retailers ante nn rather impose tax however minnesota legislature decided provide newspapers exemption sales tax impose use tax ink paper thus taxes part one system sales use taxes newspapers classified differently within system problem finds difficult deal whether difference treatment results significant burden newspapers record reveals minneapolis star tribune average daily circulation copies nn using price informed argument per copy see tr oral arg gross sales revenue year sunday circulation even assuming sell daily paper gross sales revenue year least thus total sales revenues sales tax imposed minneapolis star tribune liable complexities factual economic proof analyzed daily circulation per copy gross sales revenue year sunday circulation per copy gross sales revenue year total sales revenues rate sales tax therefore sales tax imposed agrees permissible minneapolis star tribune liability record indicates minneapolis star tribune paid use taxes total liability see nn need expert testimony modern day euclids einsteins determine paid use taxes significantly less burdensome levied sales tax fortiori minnesota taxing scheme singles newspapers differential treatment benefited burdened freedom speech press ignoring calculations concludes differential treatment alone minnesota sales use tax scheme requires statutes found presumptively unconstitutional declared invalid unless state asserts counterbalancing interest compelling importance achieve without differential taxation ante differential treatment standard conjured unprecedented unwarranted knowledge never subjected governmental action stringent constitutional review solely basis differential treatment particular groups case relied police department chicago mosley certainly stand proposition mosley picketing except peaceful picketing prohibited within particular public area thus differential treatment key decision rather essential fact unless person considered peaceful picketer speech form expression totally abridged within area course governmentally created classifications must rational basis see williamson lee optical railway express agency new york fact enacted presumptively rational legislature however arms presumption rationality shown greatest deference state legislatures devising taxing schemes said allied stores ohio bowers wide discretion laying taxes dealing proper domestic concerns trenching upon prerogatives national government violating guaranties federal constitution attribute sovereign powers devising fiscal systems ensure revenue foster local interests state may impose different specific taxes upon different trades professions may vary rate excise upon various products required resort close distinctions maintain precise scientific uniformity reference composition use value citations omitted hold otherwise subject essential taxing power state intolerable supervision hostile basic principles government quoting ohio oil conway state devises classifications infringe fundamental guarantees protected constitution demanded state justifying action infringement thus never required unless state classifications significantly burden specially protected rights said massachusetts board retirement murgia per curiam emphasis added equal protection analysis requires strict scrutiny legislative classification classification impermissibly interferes exercise fundamental right see also california medical assn fec maher roe storer brown american party texas white san antonio independent school district rodriguez state terms freedoms issue first amendment issue raised unless first amendment rights infringed infringement abridgment guarantees see branzburg hayes today departs rule refusing look record determine whether classifications minnesota use sales tax statutes significantly burden first amendment rights appellant fellow newspapers offers explanation failure conclusion courts institutions poorly equipped evaluate precision relative burdens various methods taxation complexities factual economic proof always present certain potential error courts little familiarity process evaluating relative economic burden taxes sum possibility error inherent proposed rule poses great threat concerns heart first amendment tolerate possibility minnesota therefore offered adequate justification special treatment newspapers ante footnotes omitted wisely relying solely inability weigh burdens minnesota tax scheme also says even resultant burden press lighter others selection press special treatment threatens press current differential treatment also possibility subsequent differentially burdensome treatment thus even without actually imposing extra burden press government might able achieve censorial effects threat sanctions may deter exercise first amendment rights almost potently actual application sanctions ante state required show taxing scheme rational case showing made easily speculated state might concerned collection sales tax small transactions impractical ante finds argument unpersuasive sales goods subject sales tax ibid disagree must inexpensive items sold minnesota volume newspaper sales minneapolis star tribune alone noted sold approximately papers every weekday sold another papers every sunday daily circulation sunday circulation newspapers commonly sold different way goods legislature concluded paperboys corner newsstands vending machines provide unreliable unsuitable means collection sales tax must everyone buying paper put vending machine rather price paper raised giving paper profit price kept paper absorbing tax summary long state find another way collect revenue newspapers imposing sales tax newspapers one advantage newspaper distributors collect tax state enforce collection consumer pay paper odd amounts reasonable alternative minnesota chose impose use tax ink paper reason believe legislative choice insufficiently tailored achieve goal raising revenue burdens first amendment way whatsoever cf minnesota clover leaf creamery finds summary fashion exemption newspapers receive first ink paper used also violates first amendment result newspapers actually pay use tax agree explained minnesota exemption effect credit benefits newspapers minneapolis star tribune benefited amount two years question year morning paper year evening paper ibid absent improper motive part minnesota legislature drawing limits exemption construed violating first amendment see oklahoma press publishing walling cf mabee white plains publishing minnesota specifically found exemption deliberate calculated device designed illicit purpose nothing record cast doubt conclusion minnesota explained necessary legislature construct economically sound taxes order raise revenue order legislature must classify grant exemptions insure burden upon taxpayer paying tax upon state collecting tax outweigh benefit revenues state traditionally classification device fitting tax programs local needs usages order achieve equitable distribution tax burden madden kentucky collect newspapers fair share taxes sales use tax scheme time avoid abridging freedoms speech press holds today minnesota must subject newspapers millions additional dollars sales tax liability certainly hollow victory newspapers seriously doubt conclusion result intended framers first amendment reasons set forth affirm judgment minnesota sales tax exemption use tax liability strictly speaking newspapers alone term art used minnesota taxing scheme publications publications defined include materials magazines advertising supplements shoppers guides house organs trade professional journals serially issued comic books see stat code agency rules tax