Your Monday evening update on Salem news

Good evening, Salem.
Salem city councilors will vote tonight on whether to tax paychecks for Salem workers starting next year. It’s likely to be a dramatic meeting as the council hears from Salemites who have signed up to speak at a public hearing ahead of the vote. Groups including the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Church at the Park are urging people to show up and testify.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to submit testimony Monday opposing the tax, which would affect people who work in Salem but live outside the city.
“We believe that it is the right of the people being taxed to have a voice and representation in the process of those taxing decisions. This payroll tax plan not only denies the right to have a voice through the ballot box but substantially impacts people that are not residents of Salem and have no rights under representation by Salem government,” the commissioners wrote.
Look for our coverage of the council’s decision later tonight.The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers, 555 Liberty St. S.E. Room 220.
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