Baltimore Tea Party? Businesses Refuse to Pay Taxes as Public Safety Crashes

[PeteS in CA]

Baltimore Tea Party? Businesses Refuse to Pay Taxes as Public Safety Crashes

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/bryan-preston/2021/06/08/baltimore-tea-party-business-refuse-to-pay-taxes-as-public-safety-crashes-n1453121

... Defunding police was a simple-minded attempt to grapple with complex problems, not all of which are real and not all of which have government solutions. Critical race theory is just as simple-minded, and as toxic as Baltimore’s Inner Harbor occasionally becomes.

The last thing Baltimore needed was to have its police defunded. But the mayor and city council followed the far-left activist agitators off that cliff in 2020, and homicide in Harm City shot up.

Businesses in historic and trendy Fell’s Point are feeling the effects directly, and after the city has failed to listen and do its job, they’re fighting back with a tax revolt according to WBAL.

Call it the Baltimore Tea Party.

More than three dozen Fells Point business owners have sent a letter to Baltimore leadership including Mayor Brandon Scott, City Council President Nick Mosby, Councilman Zeke Cohen, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison.
...
The letter demands that city leaders restore “basic and essential municipal services” including trach pickup, enforcement of traffic and parking laws through tickets and towing, stopping illegal open-air alcohol and drug sales and empowerment of police to responsibly do their jobs.

The business owners threaten to withhold tax and permit payments, placing those funds into an escrow account, if the city doesn’t respond to their request.

I hate to say this, but the city gooberment types are likely to try to crush this, between revenue lost and the threat of it being tried in other Dem-run cities.

[Free Vulcan]

Baltimore Tea Party? Businesses Refuse to Pay Taxes as Public Safety Crashes

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/bryan-preston/2021/06/08/baltimore-tea-party-business-refuse-to-pay-taxes-as-public-safety-crashes-n1453121


I hate to say this, but the city gooberment types are likely to try to crush this, between revenue lost and the threat of it being tried in other Dem-run cities.

It's actually a good setup, because what would Baltimore use to enforce it?

Police.

The hypocrisy would be on full display, and would likely amplify the response from the citizens.

[mystery-ak]

Baltimore Businesses Strike Back at Leftist Madness, Threaten to Withhold Taxes Until City Ups Police Presence
Samantha Chang, The Western Journal By Samantha Chang, The Western Journal
Published June 10, 2021 at 6:57am

Business owners in the Fells Point neighborhood of Baltimore sent a scathing letter to the city’s Democratic leaders threatening to withhold taxes unless the lawmakers “empower police” to do their jobs amid a terrifying crime wave.

The 37 restaurant and store owners in the historic waterfront district said they “have reached their breaking point” with the rampant lawlessness unleashed by the recent police pullbacks amid the left’s “defund the police” frenzy.

“What is happening in our front yard — the chaos and lawlessness that escalated this weekend into another night of tragic, unspeakable gun violence — has been going on for far too long,” the group wrote Tuesday.

The small businesses said their city has become more dangerous, dirtier and more chaotic because “our elected leaders have closed their eyes and ears and turned their backs on our community.”

“We are fed up and frustrated, and we now realize that nothing will change unless we demand action,” they wrote.

more
https://thefederalistpapers.org/us/baltimore-businesses-threaten-withhold-taxes-city-ups-police-presence

[HoustonSam]

“We are fed up and frustrated, and we now realize that nothing will change unless we demand action,” they wrote.

They have an opportunity to impose change at every local election.  According to the posted article, they have foregone that opportunity consistently since 1967.

[Fishrrman]

Vulcan wrote:
"It's actually a good setup, because what would Baltimore use to enforce it?
Police.
The hypocrisy would be on full display, and would likely amplify the response from the citizens."

Stop being illogical, Vulcan.

If there is anything for which the police will be "fully funded" -- and more -- it will be for coming after tax offenders and refuseniks...

[mystery-ak]

Businesses Under Siege by Criminals Threaten to Withhold Taxes, Police Cars Show up Within Days

Businesses Under Siege by Criminals Threaten to Withhold Taxes, Police Cars Show up Within Days
Jack Davis, The Western Journal
June 14, 2021 at 2:34am

Days after businesses in the Fells Point section of Baltimore threatened Mayor Brandon Scott and other city officials with withholding taxes amid a crime wave, a police command post was set up in the neighborhood.

According to WBFF-TV, a mobile command center was set up.

Police Commissioner Michael Harrison on Thursday had promised an increase in officers and foot patrols as well as support from other police agencies.

“I want them laser-focused on scanning for weapons and potential incidents,” he said during a Thursday town hall that came two days after businesses demanded action.

more
https://ijr.com/businesses-under-siege-by-criminals-threaten-to-withhold-taxes-police-cars-show-up-within-days/