Imposing an occupancy fee and increasing the rooms and meals tax negatively affects the ability of lodging properties to attract guests to their properties. Specifically, conference and event planners are very price conscious and are often comparing Vermont properties to those in neighboring states. Lodging properties in Vermont pay a variety of taxes, fees and licenses that many in the sharing economy do not. Increasing the rooms and meals tax or creating an occupancy fee could exacerbate this difference. Finally, Vermont has a long history of welcoming visitors. We do not believe that visitors who choose Vermont, should be targeted for funding when they are not the primary source of the water quality challenges we currently face. The undersigned individuals and businesses encourage Vermont legislators to oppose both increasing the rooms and meals tax and creating an occupancy fee.