Mississippi State Sen. John Horhn was singing the praises of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and the Jackson City Council Wednesday afternoon, a day after they moved forward on a motion to put to referendum vote a proposed 1-percent sales tax. He released this statement:
"I would like to applaud the Jackson City Council for its vote to proceed with a referendum to add a 1-cent sales tax on certain items in order to pay for much-needed improvements to our water/sewer system and for street re-surfacing. While I am not an advocate of higher taxes, as the author of this important legislation two years ago, I have long-advocated that the measure should be put before voters for an up or down vote to let people decide for themselves whether the increase was worthy of their support. My only regret is that this decision wasn't reached sooner, and I hope that the Mayor and City Council's resistance in the past has not soured voters' interest in approving the sales tax Increase."
The referendum will be put to the people on Jan. 14, 2014.
Comments
Knowledge06 10 years, 6 months ago
I'm curious, has anyone actually read the legislation? (Senate Bill 3268 from 2009) Unless i'm reading it incorrectly, there appears to be a substantial number of things that are exempt from this 1 cent sales tax. Am I correct?
Knowledge06 10 years, 6 months ago
Disregard my previous question. I found the answer in a JFP article from 2009:
"The tax would apply to goods and services except for groceries, restaurant food and beverages, prescription drugs, hotel/motel rooms, large equipment purchases and subscription TV and Internet services. "
There is NO WAY I will vote for this! It will only tax the residents of the City and not affect the people coming into the City everyday who use city services and infrastructure and leave. Once THE PEOPLE of the City realize this it won't pass!
tyler.cleveland 10 years, 6 months ago
That is just simply not true. It taxes anyone who spends money in Jackson, except people who purchase those items you listed.
Knowledge06 10 years, 5 months ago
Tyler, so what exactly would be taxed with the proposed sales tax?
Turtleread 10 years, 6 months ago
The reason why it doesn't tax those things is because Jackson already collects extra taxes on those same items through special taxes or fees. For instance, subscription TV and internet services are provided by Comcast or AT & T. Comcast pays a Franchise fee and every citizen of Jackson with Comcast already pays this fee, so it's not taxed again. Same with internet services through AT & T. Otherwise, you would have taxes on top of fees and/or taxes. At least, that's the way I see it.
Grady 10 years, 5 months ago
you are already taxed an additional 2% on food & beverages in restaurants, as well as prepared foods in C-stores, grocery stores etc. 1% funds the Jackson CVB, 1% to the Jackson Convention Center Complex, thus your total tax bill is already 9% (7% sales tax + 2% "tourism" taxes) at those locations.
justjess 10 years, 5 months ago
Senator Horhn is being disingenuous in reporting that his only regret was the length of time it took to get the bill signed for the up/down vote by citizens.
The reason this issue took so long is because the Gov. and Chamber want to dictate how the money will be spent and their attempt to stack the board with people of their choosing.
To date there is not a written agreement and Mayor Lumumba is relying on what he thinks will happen.
Knowledge06 10 years, 5 months ago
I actually have no problem paying an additional sales tax but just not this one. First, it exempts too much. Groceries, franchises and utilities I can understand but restaurants, hotels/motels No. I know this was done by design and it serves to ensure that only the residents of Jackson feel the brunt of the tax and those that come into the City everyday and tear up the streets and use up the infrastructure and then leave will feel no effects. I will encourage others to vote NO also!!!