On the surface, it's hard not to agree with the founding premise of Americans for Tax Reform: Americans for Tax Reform believes in a system in which taxes are simpler, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. The government’s power to control one’s life derives from its power to tax. We believe that power should be minimized.
But when they utilize extremely fuzzy math to back their positions, it's a WTF moment.
One of ATR's recent attacks is on a bill moving through the Michigan legislature to allow local Hotel Room Tax rates to increase from 2% (already insanely low compared to the rest of the country) to 4% by 2031. In its argument against the bill, ATR claims the measure will cost Michigan taxpayers $13.5 million...but is vague on how that would happen. Is this based on only Michigan travelers paying the tax...and over what period of time? ATR also suggests the increased tax will hurt hotels...when the addition of Tourism Improvement District Assessments of similar rates has been universally shown to increase hotel profitability.
Finally, the author suggests that making travel to Detroit more affordable is the logical way to increase tourism. Yeah...maybe for someone with no experience in tourism marketing. Beyond fire sale pricing, the way to increase Detroit Tourism is make the Detroit brand exceptionally more appealing...which is exactly what Visit Detroit is doing and could do more with an extra percent of Room Tax.
Hey guys...love your founding premise. But, quit making shit up with no statistical basis to support your positions.
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