In a July column, entitled “One casino in Rockaway Beach does not a Las Vegas or Atlantic City make,” the Ole Seagull “bet that within a relatively short time after the August 3 vote on Amendment 1, whether it passes or not, that the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the Branafia*, and a lot of the others who are fighting Amendment 1 will try to get a one percent retail sales tax, that some call ‘The Chamber Tax,’ imposed on all those who shop in Branson. What will be the justification for this tax? Branson needs more money for marketing to bring more people to the Branson area.”
The term “Branafia” is a term that the Ole Seagull has semi affectionately concocted. He uses it to describe those families, businesses, and individuals who appear to exert a disproportionate amount of influence and control over the affairs of the Branson area and the quality of life of its citizens all the while maintaining an innate ability and desire to have others “pay” for the benefits that it receives.
“But Seagull, wasn’t it estimated that Amendment 1 and the casino it would have permitted in Rockaway Beach would have brought hundreds of thousands of new visitors to the Branson area?”
“That depends on whose estimates were used. Although the estimates ran from 500,000 to 1 million new visitor’s one thing is a good bet, more new visitors would have come to the Branson area if it had been approved than will come because it was defeated.”
If it wasn’t so ludicrous it would be funny. With one hand the Branafia actively worked against an attraction that would have brought hundreds of thousands of new visitors into the area even while they were getting ready to present the Branson community with the Christmas gift that just keeps on giving, a regurgitation of the one percent retail sales tax that some call the “Chamber Tax.” What’s the purpose of this tax? Its purpose is to provide funding for more marketing to bring more visitors to the Branson area.
“Whoa now Seagull, why would anyone want to bring more visitors to Branson?”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t the opponents to gambling in Rockaway Beach bring in experts that said that more visitors meant increased crime?”
“Hum, come to think of it they did but they must have been referring to another kind of visitor.”
“What kind of visitor is that, one who spends their money where they want them to?”
“That would be the percentage bet.”
Sometimes it seems as if the Branafia has eaten one Burger King too many. They appear to have a dominant belief that they can have what ever they want, their way, whenever they want it. For instance, the very law that authorizes the new tax provides relief from the tax, and perhaps even a windfall, to the very theatres, attractions and lodging establishments who will benefit most from the tax.
“Surely you jest Seagull. Are you saying that the Branafia developed a law that would impose up to a one percent retail sales tax on locals and visitors alike for things like clothes, school supplies, toys, diapers, and “Pampers” etc. while putting in a provision reducing their own liability for the same tax?”
“Not really, that’s what Section 67.1971 of the Missouri Revised Statues authorizing the tax says.”
If it stopped there it would be sad enough but it doesn’t. The Branafia designed the legislation for the tax so that the millions of dollars in tax proceeds it generates is administered and controlled by a board of other than elected officials. Even that wasn’t enough however because they designed the legislation to require that the tax proceeds for marketing be awarded, not to the entity and in a manner that can most effectively market Branson, but to a one “not-for-profit organization” described in the legislation.
“Seagull, does the reason some people call it the ‘Chamber Tax’ have anything to do with the organization described in the legislation that must get the tax proceeds or that has the authority to appoint more people to the board that will make the actual decision on who will get the tax proceeds than any other?”
“That was a rhetorical question, right?”
