Mayor nixes hotel tax proposal

BILOXI — Mayor A.J. Holloway yesterday vetoed a proposed hotel room tax for Biloxi visitors.

City council members passed the measure Wednesday night with the hope of having it to the Legislature before a Friday deadline.

Holloway says the tax measure was conceived in the 11th hour and would impose an unspecified tax for an unspecified amount of time and for an unspecified use.

Holloway says the city should focus on reducing operating expenses instead of creating new taxes.

Council president Bill Stallworth said the council decided it was time to ask the Legislature for approval. He said the tax is something the council has to consider when faced with reducing employees’ pay and benefits or cutting city services.