SALTER – State inconsistent on local option sales tax policies

State inconsistent on local option sales tax policies

For more than a decade, veteran Democratic state Sen. Hob Bryan has successfully battled any attempt for other local governments to have the same advantage that the regional economic hub near his home county has enjoyed for more than two decades.

In the latest effort to kill an optional sales tax for the benefit of the city of Jackson, Bryan found a strong Republican ally in state Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Southaven.

Jackson was seeking the opportunity to let voters decide a 1-cent sales tax hike. Bryan and Flowers were able to prevail based in no small measure of their mastery of legislative procedures. Bryan has been a particularly vocal opponent.

Sid Salter
5/1/12