The Spite Tax?
By Mitch Berg
On Wednesday, I related a rumor that the Coleman administration planned to institute a supplemental sales tax during the week of the GOP Convention.
My City Council representative in the Fourth Ward is Russ Stark. I agree with him, as I did with his predecessor Jay Benanav, about .003% of the time on actual issues – but I’ll give credit where it’s due; I emailed him yesterday morning about the rumor of the Spite Tax, and I got a reply from his staffer within two hours, and from Stark himself an hour or two later. Whatever my disagreements with Stark on policy, I’ll give him points for constituent service so far (as, to be fair – to me – I did in turn with Benanav, whose staff was unfailingly courteous, even knowing as they did that I was a pretty harsh critic of their boss).
As I haven’t heard any specifics of such a proposal, only rumors, I’m
going to inquire further about this. I can’t see how you could
temporarily raise the tax rate for these items even if you wanted to.
While the idea of a Spite Tax against Republican conventiongoers doesn’t seem entirely out of character for an administration and council that is dominated by ultra-liberals that actually passed a resolution welcoming demonstrators, the rumor doesn’t entirely pass the stink test, either.
I’ll keep you posted.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
Mpls paper reported that local businesses are putting together a program to offer the 45,000 convention attendees 20% off on certain items at particapating businesses. Primarily restuarants, bars it sounds like.
First wienie commentator on the site says this will cause businesses to shift to China so he wants a list of who is particapating in this program so he can boycott them.
Sometimes you can’t parady a lefty better then they do themselves.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
Of course they responded quickly. You’re an influential member of the local media.