It is always appropriate when tax money is involved at any level – city, county, state or national – for there to be clear public information and understanding about how that money might be spent.
That obviously is especially true in this time of economic difficulties and limited government revenue.
A great deal of government financing goes directly to government agencies. But some tax funds are given to non-governmental organizations for operations that are deemed beneficial to all. Some of that funding is questionable, however.
One such case that has been in the news recently involves the Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce.
That organization should not be confused with the familiar Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. The Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce is an entirely different organization. It seeks to develop minority businesses and has requested $225,000 from Hamilton County and Chattanooga taxpayers for its programs.