JACKSON — A bill providing a 1 percent lodging tax referendum to help fund the renovation of Greenwood’s Russell Building has died in the state House’s Local and Private Committee.
“I found out last night that the House never pursued it. It’s very unfortunate,” said Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams this morning.
The bill, if approved and signed by Gov. Haley Barbour, would have allowed for a referendum on the tax in the next general election. In order for the lodging tax to go into effect, the referendum would have required a 60 percent majority.
State Sen. David Jordan, D-Greenwood, said he found out that the bill died in the House committee after talking on Tuesday with state Rep. Willie Perkins, D-Greenwood, chairman of that committee.
“He just said it died,” Jordan said this morning.
Jordan and state Sen. Lydia Chassaniol, R-Winona, had sponsored the bill, S.B. 3116, in the state Senate, which approved the measure.
Perkins is married to Sheriel Perkins, a former Greenwood mayor, who was defeated in 2009 by McAdams. Perkins could not be reached for comment this morning.
McAdams said Perkins’ lack of support for the measure amounted to a “personal vendetta” that harms the city’s interests in the long run.
“He’s got that ‘Representative’ in front of his name. He should represent everybody,” she said.
The Russell Building, purchased by the city from Greenwood attorney Lee Abraham's construction company for $150,000, will require extensive renovations. McAdams said it could be used as a meeting space and is a suitable location for a number of small shops and boutiques.
Animosity regarding purchasing the building from Abraham is driving Perkins’ opposition to the lodging tax bill, McAdams said.
“If he had owned the building, I would be happy to buy it from him,” she said.
McAdams vowed to press on with the renovation.
“I’m not giving up on the project. I’m hoping to obtain private funding for the project,” she said.
• Contact Bob Darden at bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
