August 6, 1999
Should Olympic-related taxes, like those on hotel rooms, be hiked substantially during the 2002 Wnter Olympics?
That question is being raised in Salt Lake's mayor's race. And it's inspiring a feisty debate over paying for the games.
News Specialist John Daley has details.
The issue revolves around what's called hotel transient room tax.
One candidate proposes Salt Lake "jack up" that tax on visitors as high as possible to generate revenue.
The World is Welcome Here--so the old slogan goes.
But hosting this party costs big bucks.
For Salt Lake City, it could add up to $10 million for things like police, fire, trash collection.
Why not crank up taxes for visitors, on hotels, car rentals, maybe even restaurants to offset those costs, asks mayoral candidate Jim Bradley?
Jim Bradley/(D) Candidate for Mayor: "The point is that we need to raise as much revenue from those who are coming to enjoy our Games as we possibly can."
Bradley used stronger words at a campaign event the other night, saying those taxes should be "jacked up...even shamelessly high, to generate revenue. We're not paying that folks. We have to look at opportunities like that to just screw 'em."
Today, he stands by his comments.
Jim Bradley/Candidate for Mayor: "I said it in jest, to drive home the point."
But rival mayoral candidate Rocky Anderson says he takes exception to the idea and the message.
Rocky Anderson/Candidate for Mayor: "You know, our slogan is 'The World is Welcome Here.' It doesn't reinforce that message very well to say we're going to take undue advantage of those who come to Salt Lake City for the Olympic Games."
Atlanta hiked taxes on hotels and other visitor services when it held the Summer Games.
But, the Utah Taxpayers Association says it worries any new tax would be difficult to lift later.
Many in Utah's $4-billion tourism industry also don't like the idea.
Ann Gambrino/Hotel & Lodging Assn.: "Totally sends a terrible message."
Ann Gambrino is executive director of the Hotel/Lodging Association.
She says a rise in visitor taxes will actually cause them to spend less money here.
Ann Gambrino/Hotel & Lodging Assn.: "WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS TELLING OUR TOURISTS THAT IT'S NOT A WELCOMING PLACE HERE BECAUSE WE FIGURED WE COULD GOUGE OUR TOURISTS AND GET A TRANSIENT ROOM TAX OUT OF THEM."
Olympic organizers oppose hiking up the hotel room tax as well, saying that many who've been planning to come to Salt Lake are expecting to pay a certain rate to stay here and it wouldn't be very hospitable to force them to pay more.
