Want jobs? Dump construction tax

Is Collier County finally getting the message that its high taxes on construction are a barrier to economic recovery?

Collier has the highest taxes on construction of any county in the state and businesses have long complained these so-called “impact fees” are significant barriers to growth. The Naples area's employment dropped 5.7% in the year ending in February, the biggest decline in the state on an annual percentage basis.

Common sense notwithstanding (e.g. high taxes = less private investment), there's now some strong evidence to back up these claims and for the repeal of construction taxes that keep a lid on job creation.