CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. -- Cedar Rapids Mayoral Candidate, Ron Corbett, called on the city to end its practice of competing unfairly against local small businesses and short changing flood victims today.
"A city-owned golf course flaunts the fact that if consumers purchase from them, instead of local small businesses, they can legally avoid paying sales tax. Not only does this use the power of government to undermine small business, but it shortchanges flood victims from receiving the local option sales tax intended to help with flood recovery," said Corbett. "First they sued flood victims. Now they shortchange them financially. Change must occur."
The city-owned golf course advertises that "we don't charge sales tax on all merchandise" as well as "provide proof of any competitor's price on new 2009 equipment and we'll match it."
"For local small businesses that pay 7% in sales tax, it's bad enough that state government has exempted the city from this burden, but its rubbing salt in the wound for the city to exploit this loophole," said Corbett. "The city should either stop competing against small business or voluntarily make the flood victims relief dollars whole."
"There seems to be an anti-small business pattern in city hall. Their job incentive program excludes small businesses, they failed to pass a 'buy local' resolution and they are competing unfairly," said Corbett. "Cedar Rapids needs to be pro-jobs and pro-fairness if we are going to pull ourselves out of this flood mess. We need to change the attitude in City Hall immediately."
Ron Corbett is one of two announced mayoral candidates in Cedar Rapids.
Visit roncorbett.com to see Ron's full five minute video discussion of this issue.
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