Cuz I’m the Taxman
Mayor Pam wants to increase city occupational license taxes, for beefed-up enforcement that could “help police shut down massage parlors and lingerie modeling shops that operate as fronts for prostitution.” But don’t forget: Iorio has already created an entire new “creative” branch of city government, and someone has got to pay for all of these new salaries, not to mention the finder’s fee for the “Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs” (the fire chief or police chief searches are apparently not as important, so she did not need a professional “finder”). Hey, I’m all for exploring ways to help this great city grow, but she has jumped on this creative trend, in the HOPES (no proof) that it will bring more business. But harassing adult businesses that pose no threat to the city (and help the economy), and raising taxes on those that are just trying to make a living is not the answer. If anything, lower taxes will attract more business. In fact, today The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. (DTCC) announced plans to relocate here to Tampa (bringing 500 well-paying jobs), based in part on $1.5 million in local tax breaks, and another $4.4 million in state breaks. Together, small businesses make up a bigger piece of this economic pie; don’t they deserve the tax breaks too?
Mayor Pam, follow your own lead – you are making those that want public money to come up with their part of the bargain first. Let’s see some positive financial gain from your creative moves before you start making us pay for them. You’ve spent enough money on this “creative” experiment, without any return (yet). Don’t raise the taxes on these small businesses – you will break their backs.
Tags: tampa
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