State Sen. Trey Paradee says he plans to eliminate a new Kent County lodging tax when the legislature reconvenes in January.
Paradee cosponsored the bill creating the 3% tax on the county’s hotels, motels and vacation rentals. Gov. Carney signed it into law this summer.
Conflict of interest questions were raised by residents and open government advocates, because the law lists the Frederica sports facility DE Turf as the sole beneficiary of the tax and Paradee’s brother sat on its board - until he tendered his resignation earlier this month.
In a letter, John Paradee wrote he was stepping down to avoid risking further distractions.
In a letter addressed to the Kent County Levy Court on November 8th and obtained by the News Journal, Sen. Paradee wrote he intends to introduce legislation striking all provisions in the tax bill.
He adds in the letter that if the county wants to keep the tax, he recommends passing a resolution in an open, public meeting. He also writes he will abstain from voting on any future legislation related to a hotel lodging tax.
