The local daily explored House Bill 903. Offering cities another quarter-cent sales tax option to be used for whatever on earth they please; it would in part fulfill the General Assembly’s promise to hold cities harmless from losses incurred as the state restructures its system of collecting taxes. Once again tapping the authority of Esther Manheimer for a quote, the reporter caught Asheville’s mayor suggesting this would be a great system of taxation without representation. She did not say it in so many words, but she said it would help the city get money from tourists instead of property owners. The tax would also spur tourism by encouraging city-dwelling evaders to head to the hills to buy gas and groceries.