Cities to ask Mississippi lawmakers to approve tourism taxes

BALDWYN, Miss. – Officials say two Mississippi cities will ask the state Legislature to approve tourism taxes when it reconvenes in January.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported on Sunday that Baldwyn hopes to have its former tax levy restored while Saltillo seeks a new 2 per cent tax on hotels and restaurant sales.

Baldwyn Mayor Michael James says his city’s tax went into effect in 2007 and funded its infrastructure and tourism until it was repealed in July. He says Baldwyn officials had lobbied the Legislature three times to extend the tax but miscommunicated about the repeal date and thought it they had until 2019 instead of this year.

Saltillo Mayor Rex Smith says his city would be allowed to hold a special referendum over establishing the tax if its request is approved.

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Information from: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, http://djournal.com