BUSINESS TAX RELIEF PUSHED.Byline: James Nash Staff Writer Declaring that high city taxes discourage businesses from moving to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , two City Council members proposed on Monday waiving the taxes for five years for companies that open in Los Angeles or move from other cities. The proposal by City Council members Bernard Parks and Jan Perry Jan Perry (circa. 1954 —) currently represents the 9th district of the Los Angeles City Council. External links
Preceded by Rita Walters Los Angeles City Councilwoman drew mixed reactions from advocates of reforming the city business tax. Some cheered the measure as much-needed relief from onerous taxes, while others said it would penalize pe·nal·ize tr.v. pe·nal·ized, pe·nal·iz·ing, pe·nal·iz·es 1. To subject to a penalty, especially for infringement of a law or official regulation. See Synonyms at punish. 2. existing businesses by giving tax breaks to new ones. ``It's not fair to a person who's been paying all these years,'' said Norm Huberman, a San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. building consultant and member of a committee on business tax reform. ``We have to protect the guy who's been here, who's been supporting this city all these years.'' Currently, Los Angeles waives city business taxes for two years for startups or relocated companies that have gross receipts the total of the receipts, before they are diminished by any deduction, as for expenses; - distinguished from net profits. - Bouvier. See under Gross, a. os> See also: Gross Receipt of up to $500,000. City officials, prodded by business advocates in the Valley and elsewhere in the city, are exploring more comprehensive reforms to a tax that many say chases businesses to neighboring cities. Parks said he and Perry felt that Los Angeles needs to provide relief for businesses considering whether to move or start in the city. ``Where I believe we've made a mistake in the past is taxing old businesses until they leave,'' Parks said. ``I think there would be an appreciation by existing businesses that (we're) bringing in new businesses and everyone benefits.'' Council members Wendy Greuel Wendy Greuel is President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District. Greuel was elected in 2002 to fill the remainder of the term of Councilman Joel Wachs. She was elected in her own right in 2003 and reelected in 2007. and Tony Cardenas Tony Cardenas served in the California State Assembly. In the Assembly, he had the powerful position of chair of the Budget Committee. He is now a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 6th district, which includes parts of the San Fernando Valley. , who serve on a council committee exploring tax reforms, expressed concern that lifting the tax for new businesses would in effect penalize longtime Los Angeles businesses. Their committee did not take a position on the measure Monday. ``Do we make our current businesses jealous or upset because they think, 'Why them and not me?' These are all things to contemplate as we try to bring philosophy into reality,'' Cardenas said. Greuel added: ``We want to be able to reward (longtime businesses) for their commitment to staying in the city of Los Angeles
Mayor James Hahn did not take a position on Parks' and Perry's proposal Monday. Mayoral spokesman Yusef K. Robb said Hahn wanted to see information. James Nash, (213) 978-0390 james.nash(at)dailynews.com |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion