SANTA BARBARA – The mayor of Santa Barbara is proposing an increase in sales tax for the city but the chamber of commerce president thinks it couldn't come at a worse time.
Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce President Steve Cushman met with Mayor Helene Schneider on Friday morning to discuss her plans.
Cushman thinks each of the mayor's four proposed initiatives seem reasonable. They include pension reform, an increased sales tax to help the schools and more money for police patrols downtown.
"So I understand the logistics behind it, I just don't think it's the right time to do it," he said.
Cushman said the mayor is trying to tackle budget shortfalls but she isn't the only one.
"At the same time the schools already have two parcel tax measures on the ballot, the same time the governor has a sales tax increase on the ballot and I think if you add a local one, it could be the domino that kicks them all to negative, and that's why I think personally, I don't think it's a good time," he said.
Since the mayor's announcement of the initiatives on Tuesday, Cushman said it's too early to hear how businesses will react.
The chamber will invite Mayor Schneider to speak to their members in April so she can present her plan to the business community. After the meeting, Cushman said the chamber will decide whether or not to support the reform package.
For more information the mayor's four initiatives, click here: http://investinsantabarbara2012.com/
