Rep. Condotta’s 2015 legislative session update, March 26 – mandatory tourism tax proposal

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I want to bring to your attention a very bad piece of legislation for the 12th District, and for the state for that matter.

House Bill 1938 looks harmless when you read the bill title - relating to tourism marketing. However, It would require about 80 percent of businesses in our region to pay a tourism tax that would then go to a 13-person board to decided where the money goes. Click "tourism tax video" to learn more.

Again, this would be a required tax on most businesses. There is no option to participate, meaning this is a $15 million tax increase in general.

Supporters say it is targeted at the tourism industry businesses but when you get into the details of the bill, fees would be imposed on more than just tourism, including:

• lodging;
• food service;
• attractions and entertainment;
• retail; and
• transportation.

I am all for establishing a tourism alliance or some type of statewide chamber of commerce, but forced dues on most businesses is the wrong approach, and as I mentioned in the video, perhaps not even constitutional.

Sincerely,

Cary Condotta