KSMU’s Michele Skalicky talks with Jack McGee, government affairs reporter for the Springfield Daily Citizen, about the proposed hotel/motel tax increase that will go before Springfield voters on November 4. You can read McGee’s recent story on the ballot measure here.
Springfield voters Tuesday will decide a hotel/motel license tax to help pay for a convention and event center estimated to cost $175 million. Jack, who will pay that tax if it passes?
McGee: Well, there’s really three main revenue sources at this point for the convention center. There’s a possible $30 million state budget earmark that is still restricted as of now but could be released at the governor’s discretion. A $30 million local match that comes from the 1/2 cent portion of the 3/4 cent sales tax that voters did approve last November and then much of the remaining cost would likely come from a potential increase to the hotel/motel tax, which voters are considering here next Tuesday…