Mayor gets support for penny tax

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mayor Jones wants a return of the one-cent sales tax. He said it's needed to cover a $25 million hole in the 2013 budget, and he's got the support of at least one council member.

"I will support the penny," councilman Fred Richardson said.

However, getting a sales tax hike approved by the city council is no easy feat. We've seen this fight before.

Mayor Jones said if the tax isn't approved, public services and public safety could be in jeopardy. That's the same argument made back in 2010, prompting police and fire to flood the council meeting, encouraging members to pass the penny tax.

Ultimately, it was passed. Gina Gregory was considered the swing vote. This time around, she said she will not support the tax.

"I have made it very clear. I do not support to implement a one-cent sales tax. We did that for about a year and a half, and it sunset just as we promised we'd do," said Gregory.

Richardson said he will not support layoffs.

"I don't favor laying off any police. He's got 380 cars with more than 100,000 miles on them and some more than 200,000. Trash trucks won't run. He's telling us what the situation is," said Richardson.

It's a situation that isn't expected to get any better any time soon.

The city council's finance committee is expected to meet Tuesday to talk about the mayor's recommendation.