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A Call to Action: Why We Must Abolish the Restaurant Tax
By: Gerardo Serrano/Pro-Life Advocate, Defender of Individual Rights
Across Kentucky, 50 cities have implemented a restaurant tax, quietly sold to the public to promote tourism and boost local economies. The truth, however, is far from what these politicians would have you believe. This tax is not about building our communities—it's about burdening our residents, enriching political allies, and consolidating power at the expense of those who live and work in these cities.
I speak to you not as a passive observer but as someone who has fought for justice and accountability. I've taken a case to the Supreme Court to defend the Bill of Rights, standing up against government overreach. I've engaged in city and county meetings, speaking out when local leaders sought to implement policies that hurt their people. And I've seen firsthand how government power can be misused to serve the few at the expense of the many.
The restaurant tax is yet another example of this misuse, and it's time we took a stand to stop it.
The Restaurant Tax: A Burden on Residents
Politicians will tell you the restaurant tax is a minor inconvenience designed to attract tourists, but the truth is that you, the residents, are paying the price.
- Daily Costs for Residents: You pay more every time you dine out, even though this tax supposedly targets visitors. Over time, this extra 3% becomes a significant financial burden, especially for working families.
- No Tangible Benefits: Have your roads improved? Have your schools received more funding? Have your public safety services been strengthened? The answer is no because the revenue from this tax is rarely used to address the community's actual needs. Instead, it's funneled into tourism boards and questionable projects that offer little to no benefit to those who live here.
A Flawed Justification: Taxing Residents to Attract Tourists
Taxing residents will make a city more appealing to tourists, which is absurd. Here's why:
- Tourists Don't Care About Local Taxes: Visitors are drawn to destinations with attractions, experiences, and vibrant communities—not because the residents subsidize tourism initiatives.
- No Measurable Return on Investment: Politicians claim the tax will boost the economy, but little evidence supports this. In economic terms, a good investment should provide a clear and measurable benefit, known as a Return on Investment (ROI). With the restaurant tax, the ROI is often negligible or nonexistent.
- Local Needs Neglected: While tax revenue is spent on marketing campaigns or events, residents' everyday needs—better infrastructure, improved schools, safer neighborhoods—go unmet.
The Political Abuse of Restaurant Taxes
This tax isn't just a financial burden; it's a political tool that is frequently abused:
- Cronyism and Nepotism: The funds generated are often used to hire politically connected individuals or reward allies rather than benefit the community.
- Power Consolidation: Politicians use tax revenue to strengthen their networks of influence, secure loyalty, and silence dissent.
- Lack of Transparency: Meetings about these taxes are often poorly advertised or held inconveniently, ensuring the public has little opportunity to voice opposition.
What Happened in Manchester: A Cautionary Tale
When Manchester, Kentucky, first attempted to pass the restaurant tax, I was there to fight it. Working in the city then, I attended meetings, raised objections, and rallied others to join me. Our efforts stopped the tax—for a time.
But later, while I was addressing corruption in Jackson County—where public funds were being stolen—the tax quietly passed in Manchester. No one attended the meeting to oppose it. When I asked a friend on the city council how this happened, his answer was simple: "Nobody even showed up."
This is how these taxes thrive—not through honest debate or public support, but through apathy and manipulation. If we don't show up, we hand over our power to those who use it against us.
The Call for 7 PM Meetings
One of the biggest obstacles to fighting policies like the restaurant tax is the timing of city council meetings. Many are held during work hours or late afternoons when residents cannot attend. This is unacceptable.
If city officials truly cared about their communities, they would schedule meetings at 7 PM or later, allowing working people to participate. If your elected officials refuse to make this change, it tells you everything you need to know: they're not interested in serving or controlling you.
What You Can Do
If you're tired of being burdened by this unfair tax, here's how you can fight back:
- Show Up and Speak Out
Attend city and county meetings. Raise your voice. Ask hard questions about where this money is going and demand transparency from your leaders. - Demand Reasonable Meeting Times
All public meetings should be held at a time when residents can attend. If your officials resist this, they show you they have something to hide. - Support Tax-Free Businesses
Vote with your wallet. Dine at restaurants outside the tax zone whenever possible and encourage others to do the same. - Organize Your Community
Talk to your neighbors, start a petition, and build a coalition of people who share your concerns. Together, you can demand change. - Elect Leaders Who Serve You
Hold your current officials accountable. If they refuse to listen to your concerns, replace them with leaders who prioritize fairness, transparency, and the people's needs.
A Government That Serves, Not Rules
At the heart of this issue is a simple but powerful idea: government exists to serve its citizens, not to rule over them. The restaurant tax, as it stands, betrays that principle. It prioritizes outsiders over residents, rewards political allies, and perpetuates a cycle of waste and corruption.
As someone who has challenged government overreach, taken a case to the Supreme Court to defend the Bill of Rights, and fought for accountability in local government, I tell you this: change is possible, but only if we stand together and demand it.
Let's End the Restaurant Tax
The restaurant tax is an unfair, ineffective, and exploitative measure that burdens residents, drives away businesses, and enriches politicians at your expense. It's time to abolish it and demand better for our communities.
To my fellow Kentuckians: I'm not just here to write about these issues—I'm here to serve you. I'm alongside you—together and to a better, fairer future. Let's show our leaders that we will not be silenced, ignored, or exploited together. Let's "Take Back Kentucky" and demand the government we deserve.
Sincerely,
Gerardo Serrano
- Defender of the Bill of Rights
- Advocate for Accountability and Transparency
- Fighter Against Government Overreach
- Dedicated to Serving the People of Kentucky
