Now why would the Daily Camera editors put the phrase “freebie tax” in quotes? It must be because anyone with common sense knows that if a store is giving away freebies they’re making it up by selling other items. Hence, anyone with common sense would not tax the “freebie” since they are already receiving the tax on the freebie with the other items being sold.
So it’s no great surprise that the City of Boulder has a freebie tax and very little common sense. Councilwoman Lisa Morzel, for a Boulder politician, has an uncommonly clear view of the picture…
“I think there are some legitimate questions about if this is a legitimate tax,” Councilwoman Lisa Morzel said.
She said the tax, in her opinion, is akin to “double taxing” business owners whoalready generate sales tax for the city.
“This is making us look pretty ridiculous,” Morzel said. “We can at least get the discussion going and at least let the public know that we are working on this.”
Since the City stands to lose money, it must be a fair tax…
But that argument hasn’t flown with city officials, who insist the tax is legitimate under the code and would lead to as much as $100,000 in lost annual revenue were it to suddenly go away.
Cry me a river. And…
City Manager Frank Bruno told the council not to rush into action, however, simply based on consumer complaints.
“I think it’s important to bear in mind this isn’t something new,” Bruno said. “It’s been on the books since 1981. … This is not the city trying to be cute in any way.”
Frank you’re right, the city isn’t being cute, it’s being very very stoopid. Of course, business owners are only a small fraction of the population. Hurry up and get to your next job Frank.
Repeat after me… “It’s all about the money”. Makes me wonder if intersections with red light camera have shorter yellow lights. Guess I have a project for this weekend.
