Meals tax should be opposed
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A new meals tax, proposed by the Board of Supervisors for voter approval this fall, should be opposed by Loudoun’s voters. This new tax, which would raise the price of eating out by another 4 percent, will hurt businesses, employees and families. Sterling has already lost two prominent restaurants this summer, with "That’s Amore" and "Pacific" closing due to the tough economic environment in Loudoun. While both of these businesses had wonderful food and great staffs, they apparently could not stay afloat as rising local taxes, rising fuel costs and increased food costs consumed an ever-increasing portion of the family budget. For many Loudoun families, eating out is a luxury In tough times, families cut back on luxuries.
Many of our restaurant employees are already economically hard-pressed; fewer customers, smaller tips and more economical orders will only make things tougher on them. In addition to the jobs lost to closing restaurants, surviving restaurants will most likely cut back staff. This reduces the number of entry-level jobs in Loudoun, disproportionally hurting our teens and the economically disadvantaged.
Are proponents of the meals tax, who claim it's voluntary, ignorant of the negative impact that raising taxes have on consumption, and thus our hospitality industry? Or are they the same partisans who advocate increased tobacco taxes, designed to reduce smoking, and increased gas taxes, in order to discourage wasteful driving, “for our own good”? The last thing Loudoun County needs right now are new and additional taxes. The Board of Supervisors has already raised the property tax rate 19 percent this year. Enough is enough.
Patricia Phillips
Sterling
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