Better Savannah Episode 58: Don't tread on Savannah w/ Clinton Cowart

<p>Clinton Cowart is a lifelong Savannahian who is running in the Special Election for House District 165. This is our fourth of five interviews for the election. </p><p>We were genuinely surprised and grateful at where we agreed, and genuinely unsurprised at where we disagreed. </p><p>Clinton takes a blue collar approach to the reason Savannah has experienced tremendous growth while maintaining 27% poverty. </p><p>He calls SEDA crony capitalists and agreed reform and audits were needed immediately. </p><p>Clinton immediate reaction to what is going on at city hall was that members should only need 2 votes to get something on the agenda. Passive-aggressive gridlock was the most flattering way he could describe it. The Mitch McConnellization of City Council continues. </p><p>When it comes to regulation of industries including Short term vacation rentals (STVRS) should always remain as local as possible. </p><p>Our disagreements begin with the raising of the Hotel Motel Tax. Clinton maintains we have not yet escaped the economic downturn of COVID and should wait and see. He did agree that The Weeping Time property, but stopped short of direct government funding. True to Libertarian principles he advocated for the private sector to step up with tax breaks or incentives down the road. This became a theme during many of our later questions. </p><p>SCAD should pay some form of taxation to the city, county, and school board. Another area of agreement. We appreciated his acknowledgment of the concept of "the point of diminishing returns" </p><p>His libertarian views were highlighted by our discussion on abortion rights and marijuana legalization.</p><p>His straight opposition to Medicaid Expansion was the most poignant disagreement we had. <br></p>