It seems as if even a lot of restaurants get it.
These taxes are optional. They're modest. They'd go directly to cities and towns.
Some cities and towns would benefit tremendously, some would only benefit a small amount. However, for the cities and towns that would benefit from such a bill, it's important we give them the means to raise revenue from some other source than property taxes - if they wish to. Just because not every town would benefit doesn't mean we don't pursue reform.
Furthermore, the anti-tax types need not worry: this is little d Democracy. If towns are worried a 1% tax would drive business away, they could always choose not to have that tax. But for towns like Saugus and Dartmouth, in dire fiscal straights, we need to give them as much latitude as possible so they can remain solvent and not end up in state receivership - and these are two towns that could benefit tremendously if they had access to the revenue of a small restaurant tax.
Posts
8 comments:
Other cities, like New York seem to manage. Further, I just returned from Minneapolis, which has state and various local taxes, funding tourism and more.
I forget how sheltered and low tax we are here. They have higher rates and on more stuff than we do. Some seem arbitary, like they do not tax cremation urns, tampons, and supplies for care of horses.
But Minnesota has a flat 6.5% on nearly everything. Then Minneapolis adds .5% on everything a .5% "use tax" on top, a 3% on lodging, 3% on liquor sales downtown, 3% on downtown restaurant tabs, and 3% on entertainment.
Taxachusetts, my butt. A 1% for local use should work fine.
Aye, while I prefer income tax to sales taxes of any kind, the fact is that towns can't just rely on property taxes - so, giving towns the option to have a 1% meals/hotel tax makes a lot of sense - and I could see it extending beyond that, as well. Though, if it extended well beyond that, those taxes should be shared with nearby communities.
You say a lot of restauranteurs seem to "get it". Yet, the article doesn't mention, quote or name a single restauranteur who supports the tax.
You spinning?
Try this one ...
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/05/15/dishing_up_support_for_meals_tax/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/05/15/dishing_up_support_for_meals_tax/
No, I'm not spinning. Menino has a list of at least 20. I'd say that's a lot. You could disagree. What exact 20 those are, I don't know, the Globe clearly didn't think it was necessary to list all 20 restaurants.
Seriously, did you read the article?
**Roughly 20 restaurant owners gave Menino a respectful hearing this week.**
And, based on that sentence you say the restaurant get it?
By analogy, all the Representatives who attended the Clinton Impeachment Hearing supported him.
On Wednesday, Mayor Menino delivered a letter to the State House with the signatures of the owners of more than 260 Boston restaurants...
http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2007/06/04/daily26.html
Post a Comment