Residents, business owners react to possible downtown food tax [Video]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Another tax is being looked into by Memphis Mayor Paul Young.

This one would go towards upgrading security downtown and keeping it clean.

There are some mixed feelings swirling around downtown about this idea.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young plans to ask the Tennessee legislature to approve a 0.5% fee commonly known as a “Hamburger tax” in the Downtown Tourism Zone.

Some are against it.

“I feel very uncomfortable because that’s, more money that has to come out of my pocket,” said Memphis resident, Courtney Berry.

Others think the tax or fee would be helpful.

“I think, anything we can do for security is a good thing, I don’t think it’s that bad,” said Downtown resident, Rusty Taylor.

The Tennessee Tourism Development Zone Act was amended in 2014 to allow Nashville to add a 0.25% tax on certain items.

Now, Memphis’ top leader is looking to add a similar tax on certain items including food. In Nashville, the tax does …