Birmingham mayor Larry Langford shakes Councilor Steven Hoyt’s hand as he leaves chambers shortly after the passage of his proposed sales tax and business license fee increases. They will take effect on January 1.
Photo credit: Bob Farley/f8photo
The Birmingham City Council voted to approve both of the mayor’s initiatives during this morning’s city council meeting. While we need to confirm the final vote, Councilor William Bell was not in attendance due to his continuing recovery (though he did take part in the discussion via telephone), while Councilor Valerie Abbott abstained from both votes. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
The sales tax passed 7-0 while the business license fee increase passed 6-1, with Councilor Joel Montgomery casting the lone “no” vote. The increases are set to take place on January 1.
…but do they really want to? Here are a couple of posts from the Bearcats’ neck of the woods offering you some insight into what some of them are thinking about visiting the city on December 22 to face Southern Miss in the 
UPDATED: The First 100: The Times joins in on the act
The Birmingham Times that is – in the public discourse taking place throughout the media regarding Mayor Langford’s proposed tax increases. Johnnie Wyatt adds his voice to the conversation (and don’t assume you automatically know what that voice is saying, either) and even invites you to contact him about your thoughts at the end of his piece in this week’s Birmingham Times.
We’d just love it if you’d share a few of those thoughts with us as well (after you check out his piece).
UPDATE – 10:05 p.m., 11.30.2007; links changed to direct readers to current location of story.
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Posted in Alabama, Birmingham, Citywide, Commentary, politics