Letters: Legislators work for us, not corporations and lobbyists

Rep. Bill Sandifer’s bill, H.3650, means the Wal-Marts, Targets, Olive Gardens and CVS stores will be getting a 25 percent tax break, while those of us who live down the street will end up paying a business license tax based on all of our sales, because we don’t do business in multiple cities or counties. As a small-business owner who would be negatively impacted by Mr. Sandifer’s bill, I feel the need not only to protest the bill but also to remind our representatives who they work for.

Bills like this are glaring examples of legislators who care more for the concerns of lobbyists than the people who pay their salaries. Yes, I have called all my state representatives and voiced my opinion, and if you own a small business you should too. Our representatives should be looking out for those who are trying to make our communities unique, not homogenous.

If Mr. Sandifer really cared about those he calls neighbor, H.3650 would give the 25 percent reduction to those who are local as opposed to those who live elsewhere.

This story was originally published March 12, 2017 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Letters: Legislators work for us, not corporations and lobbyists."