This year, Philadelphia’s government saw the city’s hobbyists as their own moneymaking venture when it chose to slap bloggers with a $300 “Business Privilege Tax.” To add insult to injury, on top of the $300 business license any ad revenue now invites a 6.45% tax.

 Often the cost of this license vastly exceeds blog revenue. Philadelphia’s City Paper highlighted the case of Marilyn Bess, who has made $50 over the past few years on her blog. When she tried to explain this to the city, she was told to hire an accountant.

 Bloggers are rightfully arguing that the license discourages free speech and dissent as some opt out of the fee through foregoing blogging altogether. In addition to inhibiting the creative expression of Philadelphians, the city government is stealing even more money from its constituents in a time when money is scarce.

 According to NBC’s Philadelphia website, 85% of people are “furious” over the tax. As city governments continually view their constituents as resources to be tapped for funds, which city will be next in enacting this legislature?