WBHM Politics: When Retailers Close, Taxes Go Too

Andrew Yeager | March 1, 2018

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2017/09/WBHM_Politics_Banner.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:340;s:4:"file";s:32:"2017/09/WBHM_Politics_Banner.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:7:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-336x190.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:190;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:30:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-549x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:549;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-468x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:468;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:32:"WBHM_Politics_Banner-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

)
1669797989 
1519894810

When you buy something at a store, that sticker price is not all you pay. There’s sales tax added on top. In Alabama, a portion goes to the state and a portion goes to local governments. For a small town with a big retailer, that can be major source of revenue. But when stores close, it can mean a hit to city coffers. It’s what happened in Fairfield when a Walmart closed in 2016. Irondale faces a similar situation after Sam’s Club announced in January it would shutter a store there.

We discuss how smaller cities and towns cope when a significant source of tax dollars disappears with Fairfield City Councilman Eddie Penny, Irondale Mayor Charles Moore and research analyst Megan Randall with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute.

Listen here or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play or NPR One.

https://wbhm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AlabamaPowerPlant_ICN-800x450.jpg

Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry

The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.

https://wbhm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25328777409356.jpg

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor

Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.