Kentucky Attorney General Michael Coleman has taken action to block the implementation of a restaurant tax in Hazard, Kentucky, calling it “unlawful.” The tax, which was approved by the city council earlier this year, would impose a 3% tax on food and beverages sold at restaurants in the city.
Coleman filed a petition in Perry Circuit Court seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the tax from being collected, arguing that it violates state law. He stated that the tax was not properly authorized by the state legislature and therefore should not be enforced.
The attorney general’s decision to challenge the restaurant tax has sparked debate in Hazard, with some residents expressing disappointment that the city’s efforts to raise revenue are being thwarted. Others, however, have supported Coleman’s actions, agreeing that the tax is not legally sound.
Hazard Mayor Donnie Mobelini defended the tax, stating that it was intended to generate much-needed revenue for the city and help fund essential services. He expressed frustration with the attorney general’s intervention, arguing that it undermines the city’s ability to govern itself and make important decisions for its residents.
The fate of the restaurant tax now rests in the hands of the Perry Circuit Court, which will determine whether or not to grant the temporary restraining order. In the meantime, the debate over the legality and necessity of the tax continues to divide the community of Hazard.
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