Alabama lawmaker proposes Jefferson County tax

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March 17, 2013

Alabama lawmaker proposes Jefferson County tax

Anonymous Associated Press Sun Mar 17, 2013, 11:38 AM CDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A state representative from Birmingham has proposed a plan that he says will allowAlabama's largest county to escape from bankruptcy.

Democratic Rep. John Rogers told The Birmingham News that he will introduce a bill in the Legislature to reinstate the Jefferson County 0.5 percent occupational tax and generate as much at $65 to $70 million. Rogers is co-chairman of the Jefferson County legislative delegation.

The county went into bankruptcy because of financial problems related to an inability to pay creditors in a massive sewer system project.

The county's occupational tax was found unconstitutional because it exempted some people. Rogers said his proposed tax would have to be paid by everybody equally.

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