Pasadena Chamber’s Tax Stand Criticized

Perhaps there are good reasons why Pasadena should not tax interstate and foreign phone calls, but the Chamber of Commerce failed to mention any in their arguments to the Board of Directors.

Chamber President Don Pollard claimed that businesses pay 60% of all city taxes and receive only 40% of the services, and that a new tax would weigh more heavily on the business community. He recommended that the city cut expenses for citizen committees and commissions rather than impose this new tax.

I’m not in favor of this new tax, but I am disappointed in the chamber’s attitude and in its apparent disdain for the residents of Pasadena. Because about one-third of the taxes the chamber says Pasadena businesses pay are in the form of sales taxes, and because most of this is paid by consumers when they purchase goods and services, it seems to me that the chamber’s opinion lacks credence.

The chamber goes on to say that some businesses would be severely impacted by the phone tax. However, companies generally pass every cost on to their clients.

To me, the most offensive part of the chamber’s recommendation is the proposed reduction of spending for citizen committees and commissions.

Yes, there will always be inefficiency, but as a free people, this is a small price to pay for democracy. Our committees and commissions cut across ethnic and economic barriers, bring our people together for a common purpose and give vitality to our community. One neighbor told me that, if that’s the way the chamber feels about us, she’ll do all her shopping in Glendale, Arcadia and Alhambra.

Perhaps it is time for the chamber to spend less time whining about the taxes that are passed on to consumers and more time insisting on such things as more city parks.

It’s time for the chamber to stop thinking in terms of “us versus them” and to start taking pride in Pasadena, as a whole, and in the residents who play a large part in making Pasadena businesses a success.

DAVID W. STOVER

Pasadena