A proposal to enact the so-called “jock tax” - stalled for years by Cincinnati City Council - may finally get its day at City Hall.

        Councilman David Pepper championed the tax this week as part of a comprehensive drug enforcement and prevention program.

        The tax, which would apply the 2.1 percent city earnings tax to visiting professional athletes and performers, could bring an estimated $750,000 a year into the city's coffers. Mr. Pepper would use it to pay for undercover police vehicles and surveillance equipment, a crackdown on drug houses, drug prevention programs and job training for reformed felons.

        Then-City Manager John Shirey first proposed the tax change seven years ago, and it immediately drew opposition from the Reds and Bengals.

        It emerged in Mr. Shirey's budget again last year, but City Council quietly pushed it to the bottom of the Finance Committee's agenda.

        But Mr. Pepper brought the idea back to the fore this week and immediately got enthusiastic support from Mayor Charlie Luken.

        “We've talked about this jock tax thing for so long, I can't believe we haven't gotten it done,” Mr. Luken said.

        Councilman Pat DeWine has said he supports the tax, but fellow Republican Chris Monzel said he needs convincing.

        “I just don't agree with taxing people just to be taxing them,” he said. And with the city fighting a boycott, it doesn't need to give performers one more reason not to come.

        Mr. Pepper's strategy is to link the tax to a specific anti-crime proposal, rather than using it only to help offset a projected $35 million budget deficit in 2003.

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