By MITCH CASE
Fort Mill, S.C.

I recently read a column on the public update on the Mari Mac Shopping Plaza (link). The question of using public funding was discussed at public update. Columbus Capital’s Jeffrey Branch reportedly stated that if public funds are asked for and received, it would not cost the taxpayer due to all projected revenue that could be reaped from property taxes, gross receipt taxes and lodger’s taxes.

Who pays property taxes? Property owners. Who pays gross receipts taxes? Business owners. Who pays lodger’s taxes? Lodgers. Property owners, business owners, and lodgers are also taxpayers. Anyone who pays a tax is a taxpayer by definition. To say that the public funds will not cost the taxpayer is like saying the groceries bought with “household food budget” money weren’t paid for by the household.