Alabama's "Big 10" cities stand to get a windfall should the proposed online retail tax increase being considered by the House of Representatives be signed into law.
The potential increase comes when many of those municipalities remain embroiled in high-profile controversies.
A pair of bills is up before the House Tuesday afternoon, each reliant on the other. House Bill 258 (HB258), sponsored by State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), would match the tax collected by online retailers, also called the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), to the current cumulative sales tax rate in Alabama. House Bill 257 by State Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn) creates a one-day sales tax holiday for specific recreational supplies.
The proposed levy in England's bill would bring the state an estimated $121 million in additional revenue. Sixty-five percent of that revenue would be distributed to municipalities, an estimated $79 million. Municipalities with a population of over 50,000 would receive 65% of that $65 million, which exclusively consists of Alabama's "Big 10" cities.
Alabama's Big Ten consists of Auburn, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. The respective mayors of each city make up "Alabama's Big 10 Mayors," whose stated purpose is to "work together to address the state's most important issues and make Alabama a safer, better place for all its residents to live."
The potential influx of additional revenue will undoubtedly be welcome in the Big 10 cities, which have not been without their issues in recent months.
In Decatur, the city is still reeling after police body cam footage of the fatal shooting of Steve Perkins was leaked to 1819 News. Perkins's death sparked community outcry and protests from residents.
SEE ALSO: Morgan County DA issues subpoenas in Decatur's Perkins shooting body cam footage leak investigation.
In Hoover, the mayor and city council are currently embroiled in an internal dispute over the city's attempted construction of Stadium Trace Village.
The city council and Mayor Frank Brocato have been in a back-and-forth power struggle for some time.
SEE ALSO: Sparks fly at Hoover City Council meeting over long-anticipated Stadium Trace Village Phase 2
Montgomery has issues that are far too many to list. Between the rising violent crime, lackluster public services, and a police chief who was recently placed on administrative leave amidst accusations of sexual misconduct from a former officer, the city has faced immense hardships in recent years.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed recently participated in an anti-violence summit with Selma Mayor James Perkins. Reed said on Monday that the recent rash of shootings in his city showed the necessity of the summit.
There have been too many shootings in our city especially over the last several days. Some of them have resulted in serious injuries and deaths. This is why Selma Mayor James Perkins and I felt called to host a community violence intervention summit. SR
— Mayor Steven L. Reed (@MayorofMgm) April 15, 2024
A shootout on Montgomery's Atlanta Highway on Friday resulted in 10 shots fired, which left at least one innocent driver injured.
Meanwhile, in Mobile, the pugilism between now-former police chief Paul Prine and Mayor Sandy Stimpson led to Prine's retirement after he was placed on leave for complaining about some "unethical practices." Prine received support from residents, who showed up en mass in a rally to show support.
Birmingham has similar woes to Montgomery. Last year was the city's most violent year since 1990.
The city also recently saw the closure of Birmingham Southern College, a school that has existed since 1898, after a failed legislative attempt to bail out the school financially.
Additionally, the city's Water Works Board has been in disarray for years, ranging from multiple lawsuits to bills filed in the legislature to dissolve the board entirely.
Recently, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said he would advise athletes to stay out of Alabama should the state legislature pass legislation banning taxpayer-funded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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