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Parchman: Vote no on lodging tax

To the editor:

The lodging tax issue seems like an easy vote. I personally find it a problem that we can vote, and the faceless traveler has no say in this matter.

A tax is a tax in a situation like this, even if there are good intentions. Some will say it’s “just” $5 more per night at the 6.9-percent tax. Some workers from out of town who spend a week or more wouldn’t agree.



Why not give anyone who books three days or more the old rate as an incentive to stay here if this is passed? That’s too complicated on a bad tax idea. Also, the 6.9-percent figure is suspect to me.

Why not just say 7 percent?



It’s because the brain doesn’t work that way. That’s why retailers prove it every day and will charge $29.99 or $11.95, for example. We just think that with the smaller number, it isn’t as much, when it really is.

In fact, let’s just make it 8.9 percent or 9.9 percent since it’s not coming out of “our” pocket?

If Craig voters pass this, we can assume some traffic will go other directions or not come back again, meaning a loss of revenue.

Other places can use this highest rate in the whole region as a great marketing aspect to instead come to their towns or cities.

Much more likely, and sadly, there will be other councils or voters advancing a proposed new referendum to increase their lodging tax because we have.

“Craig voters have theirs, why can’t we?”

Also, we might just get some of those folks who couldn’t vote in our town for some of their hard-earned money in tough economic times when they visit us.

At least, that’s the way I see it.

Mark Parchman


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