UPDATE: Ohio “Big Box” Retail Sales Tax Giveaway

My initial post on the issue was skeptical, and, after I picked up a bit more info, turned against the tax incentive sporting goods retailer Bass Pro Shops would receive, in the form of 75 cents of every $1 paid in county sales taxes if it locates in Wood County, or in theory anywhere else in Ohio, under a bill that is nearing passage.

In response, as noted in this Friday post, the State’s Senate Finance Committee whined:

The (Senate Finance) committee, however, questioned why it took so long for opponents to weigh in. Gander Mountain, which has nine stores and 1,185 employees in Ohio, sent a letter to Mr. Taft on Tuesday asking him to “say no” to this provision, but yesterday marked the first time anyone has testified on the issue.

Scott Pullins, whose Ohio Taxpayers Association is involved in trying to stop the tax break, e-mailed me over the weekend and let me know what “took so long” means to these Ohio Senators:

The bill was introduced approximately 10 days before I testified. Testimony in the House was concluded last Thursday, March 16th. I was hired by a consulting firm to work directly on it last Friday, March 17th.

It passed House committee on Monday, March 20th. Passed the House, Wed. March 22nd. I testified on Thursday, March 23rd.

If I’m reading this right, the bill was introduced on March 13 (ten days before Pullins testified on the 23rd). Update: Scott just e-mailed and said the bill was introduced on March 14.

Cut the crap, Senators (and Representatives). You hoped to slide this by (and buried it in more comprehensive legislation) before opposition could coalesce, and, thank goodness, you got caught (how many other times haven’t they been caught?). The fact that someone has to watch your every move lest you betray the state’s taxpayers and give unwarranted breaks to favored businesses is a disgrace. The fact that a concerted opposition effort has to be mounted to stop the madness even when you’re caught dead to rights is even worse.

Pass the November brooms, please.