The greatest tribunal in the world. One of the pillars upon which this country is founded.
And yet, 58% of Americans disapprove of the actions of the Supreme Court.
And now, following the lead of Ohio's historic vote to preserve a woman's right to choose, 11 other States are poised to raise a middle finger to the highest court in the land.
Don't ask how we got here...because we know.
Ask how we get back to center.
It's not exactly "new," but that legislators in two States have employed this tactic in as many days shows how brazen several have become because they don't think we're paying attention...or that we won't remember the next time they're up for re-election.
Earlier this week, we shared the boneheaded attempt of a legislator to redirect Room Tax revenue in Ohio to funding jails. We've just learned from some friends in the Buckeye State that she just slipped an amendment into a fast moving bill that would allow communities to increase Room Tax by 2% specifically to fund jail construction.
And, here's why I call it an end around. For those that are not fans of the game of football, an end around is a play that is typically not expected by the defense. In most offensive plays, the Quarterback hands the ball off to a running back or passes the ball to a receiver (or, if you're Justin Fields, you just keep it). An end around is when the receiver doesn't run down the field to catch a pass but, instead, runs laterally behind the QB and takes the ball around the other end of the field. In essence, it's a trick play because defenses generally don't expect it.
And that's what our Ohio Legislator did. By attaching the amendment to another bill, she eliminated the opportunity for public testimony on the merits of the bill. Those that could explain why this is a sensationally bad idea for Ohio's economy were blocked from offering that side of the argument.
And, it happened this week in Wisconsin, where an amendment to another bill threatened the viability of wedding barns by limiting the number of days alcohol can be served. The measure, supported by the Tavern League and large event venues, never got a hearing...because it was an amendment. Thus, small business owners were never provided the opportunity to plead their case to legislators who are generally supportive of small business. All they heard was big business saying this measure ensures public safety (what a bunch of horseshit).
As a political operative, I can appreciate the elegance of an end around.
But it's a shitty way to run a State's economy.
The Plague emptied our downtown cores. There is a general belief today that downtowns continue to struggle. And, without our downtown cores, destinations will struggle to position themselves as viable choices for visitation, residency and investment.
But, a new study offers some hope. And, if local leadership still doesn't respect the power of the Visitor Economy, check this out: Across the 26 cities studied, visitors comprised two-thirds of people downtown, underscoring the importance of developing downtown attractions. While local variations influence a city’s recovery, the report notes that “in general, cities that have strong overall recovery rates tend to have a robust leisure and hospitality industry."
Like we've been saying...
Another reason why the Destination Marketing Organization sector needs to stop saying "heads in beds," stat.
Misguided legislators have long advocated for Room Taxes to go towards alleviating homelessness. But of course, we both are in the business of beds. Makes (im)perfect sense.
Now, a legislator in Ohio is suggesting a change in Room Tax statutes to allow revenue collected from overnight stays in hotels to be used to fund...wait for it...a new County Jail.
It's the Beds. Gotta be. How else would someone who has at least something going on (as she managed to get elected) come up with such a boneheaded suggestion?
A Jail benefits residents. As such, its funding should come from a County's General Fund. Tourism Taxes were levied, often with the support of the hotel community, for the purpose of enhancing the economy, increasing Quality of Life and creating jobs. And don't try to say that locking up bad guys and gals improves Quality of Life. That dog don't hunt.
Redirecting such revenues to house criminals does none of those things. And, my guess is that County Supervisors won't use General Fund revenues to do that either.
So where does that leave a local economy?
Bueller? Bueller?
Image: The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield (home to "Shawshank Redemption")
The basic tenets of Supply and Demand would certainly support the concept that transferring homes and apartments into Short Term Rentals would cause remaining housing prices to increase. To be fair, Airbnb responds: "There are a number of complex factors driving today's housing affordability crisis — from growing income inequality, to decades of exclusionary zoning, and even changing location preferences post-pandemic, including the rise of remote working from home — but many experts agree the primary driver of the affordability crisis is chronic underproduction of housing, not short-term rentals. Unfortunately, short-term rentals, which in most cities make up a tiny portion of local housing stock, have become a convenient but misguided scapegoat for a housing crisis that started long before the founding of Airbnb."
Rebuttal accepted...but then, there is what has happened in Irvine CA since that community banned STRs: Within two years of the ban, long-term rents decreased significantly; roughly 60,000 rental units in the city saw a 3% rent decrease, on average.
It's a fascinating read in the ongoing conversation of how to balance the needs of all sides.
Image Credit: Tristen Rouse / St. Louis Public Radio
Destinations International has been fairly vocal in its opposition to travel band and boycotts. While some have been successful in reversing political policy initiatives...they all hurt the very residents and workers that depend on a robust visitor economy.
Many of this blog's regulars will remember Charles Jeffers, a DMO pro that served, for a time, at Destinations International. He currently serves as the interim executive director of the American Occupational Therapy Association, an organization that is poised to welcome 10,000 attendees to its next annual convention...in, of all places, Florida.
Check out this op ed piece on why they're coming to Orlando. It's an angle that clearly supports the concept that we can do better than boycotts.
According to a recent article in Fast Company, office space takes up between 70-80% of all real estate in many downtowns. With so many of us continuing to work remote, that space is going unused...and, in many cases, unleased.
In San Francisco, it is estimated that only 40% of the pre-plague workforce has returned to the office. And, as the average worker in that city spent $168 per week near their workplaces...that pencils out to $1.2 billion in lost revenues per year to the surrounding restaurants, bars, coffeeshops, retain outlets and services businesses.
Is it any wonder so many of those businesses (even those who could find workers) are now shuttered? Which then sets about a vicious cycle of why would anyone would want to return to the office if there's nothing to do in the blocks surrounding one's building.
Cities that intend to survive are going to hafta get real creative...sooner than later...before it's too late.
Rather than focusing on building walls to keep immigrants out...why not find a way for them to earn citizenship other than taking pointless classes on American history and our government (which, of course, is a global joke) and a final exam?
Greece has just announced it will use migrants to build an airport and subway station (as well as other public works projects) as a pathway to citizenship.
You wanna live here? You gotta earn the right.
Fascinating concept...
When the moderator went to the audience this year at the Annual Convention of Destinations International asking, "what keeps you up at night," Lviv's Olena Pavlyuk held out her mobile device and replayed a recording of an air raid siren. In this fascinating episode of DMOU, Olena shares how war has changed her community into one of volunteers, how Lviv has become a hub for medical tourism through UNBROKEN...and how the DMO secured and serviced over 600 events last year, despite the constant threat of missiles and power black-outs. It's a spirited conversation of inspiration, selflessness and the power of the human spirit. Listen in...and catch up on 120 other compelling conversations in the DMOU Vault.
Those that follow this blog (and I never thank you enough) know that I am a fan of the 40-Year Pendulum concept espoused by Roy Williams. It holds that everything...culture, music, politics, support (or not) of institutions operates on a 40-year pendulum, swinging back and forth.
According to Ray, we've just zenithed in one direction and are beginning to transition back...but the next few years promise to be chaotic. And, that means the 2024 Presidential Election.
And, as I watch the predominant messages coming from the GOP...I have an odd reminiscence of the late 60s and early 70s when the "youth vote" changed America. Because what the GOP then supported (the Draft, the War in Vietnam, the War on Drugs and anything "counter-culture") wasn't in the best interests of our newest electorate.
And, here we are (OK, it's 50 years on, not 40)...and the same cultural evolution is occurring. And after decades of 20-somethings generally forfeiting their vote, the GOP has again crossed the line of what tens of millions of young voters believe and with what tens of millions are ready to activate.
I recently saw a quote I can't verify...but it rings true: There is a massive number of voters "who are young people who are not interested in the party of climate denialism, marijuana criminal drug enforcement authoritarianism and anti-choice reproductive tyranny. The GOP has nothing for the young people of America."
Will the GOP recognize this and shift course? Doubtful...as both parties have become cults of personality.
So...will, like they did in the 70s, young voters say, "enough?"
Should be fascinating to watch.
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