I must compliment the city council of Pell City. While so many politicians in public office attempt to raise revenue by implementing tax policy which discriminates against the poor, Pell City has chosen to include the poor in the recently increased city sales tax.

The Alabama Legislature is considering phasing out the federal income tax deduction on high income earning individuals in order to remove the sales tax on food (House Bill 116 introduced by Rep. John Knight). However, Pell City has expanded one of the most regressive tax measures, the sales tax. This tax will impact those earning lower wages, including those who are surviving on unemployment insurance and those on fixed incomes more than middle and high income individuals.

The increase in sales tax truly shows how the city council wants to place a burden on all taxpayers, not those who earn higher incomes. It is only fair if all people pay the increased tax rate rather than just those who have higher incomes. So I must applaud the city council in their effort to spread the tax burden to all levels of income earners, including those on fixed incomes.

— Gary Milligan, Riverside