Subject: AAF Alert - DC Ad Tax Update
A few moments ago, by a vote of 11-2, the District of Columbia City Council voted to approve an amendment offered by Council Chair Phil Mendelson that is the first step in eliminating the 3% ad tax included in an earlier version of the budget. In short, the amendment reduced the budget by $18.4 with the express purpose of doing away with the ad tax. Chairman Mendelson’s explanatory press release can be found here. The two votes against the amendment were by Councilmembers David Grosso (At-Large) and Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1). While this is undoubtably good news, it is not the end of the process. The bill being considered today is primarily a spending bill. The final approval of the budget, including revenue sources, is next Tuesday. While unlikely, it remains possible that supporters of the ad tax may still try to keep it in the budget. The ad industry’s work is not done. We need to make sure that the Council know we appreciate their support. Please contact City Councilmembers and thank them for supporting Chairman Mendelson’s amendment and the elimination of the ad tax. Victory is in sight. Keep up the good work and thank you for all you have done on behalf of the advertising industry. Clark
Clark Rector Executive Vice President-Government Affairs American Advertising Federation 1101 K Street, NW, Suite 420 Washington, DC 20005 202-898-0089