Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill designed to give the city of Jackson additional funds for road repair and additional police and fire fighters.

Friday, the Mississippi House passed a resolution to allow the city to add a 1 percent sales tax to some items that could generate approximately $21 million a year. Jackson voters will decide whether to put the additional tax into effect. The Senate previously passed the bill.

Advocated by the Jackson City Council, proponents say the city needs the additional funds.

"This is going to be a good thing for Jackson," Jackson City Council President Dr. Leslie McLemore told MSNBC. "That's not a burden. We're going to spend the money in the areas where we really need it."

The proposed tax increase would exclude groceries, prescription drugs and large purchases, like automobiles. Included, however would be toiletries, clothing and other items.

Opponents of the bill say the tax represents an undue burden on Jacksonians during already difficult economic times.

"You can't tax the citizens to death in order to get what you need, and then the majority of the citizens in Jackson affected by this are not upper-income citizens," said Jackson NAACP President Gus McCoy.

McCoy said he doesn't think that 1 percent more on taxes is going to help the city.

He said the city should find other ways to come up with the money, or people will cross city lines to buy the items elsewhere.

The bill goes to Gov. Haley Barbour for his signature. If signed, the bill will require the yes votes of 60 percent of the people of Jackson to become a reality.

Previous Comments

ID

144205

Comment

I think it's great that the citizens affected by the tax will have a chance to vote on it. More taxes should be that way.

Author

WMartin

Date

2009-03-02T11:46:37-06:00

ID

144206

Comment

Plus, those who don't live in Jackson but work here will share in as well.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-03-02T12:11:02-06:00

ID

144229

Comment

As a Jackson resident, I will vote against it. I have zero confidence the city government will use the generated revenue any better than the money it already has.

Author

Curley

Date

2009-03-02T16:15:26-06:00

ID

144238

Comment

I think its a decent idea, since the city needs some way to get $$$ from the commuters who use its infrastructure. However, I seriously doubt it will pass a vote if the NAACP is against it.

Author

QB

Date

2009-03-02T18:03:02-06:00