A new rental car tax in Milwaukee would hurt the local economy and make Milwaukee a less desirable travel destination, according to the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), which released a statement last week speaking out against the proposed tax.The tax, which would range anywhere from $2 to $18 per transaction, is currently being considered by Milwaukee's city council, which wants to levy the tax in order to fund a new commuter rail project. If approved, NBTA said the tax will make travelers at Milwaukee's airport—currently the nation's third most expensive, in terms of sales and travel taxes—the most heavily taxed travelers in the country."Officials in Milwaukee should thoroughly consider the consequences of a new rental car tax," NBTA President and COO Michael W. McCormick said in a statement. "The city already approved an increase in the food and beverage tax last year; an additional tax on travelers would only continue to increase the burden on visitors."Because travel budgets already are strained due to the economy, new taxes on travelers there could make Milwaukee a less affordable—and less desirable—meeting and business travel destination, hurting local hospitality businesses."While raising or implementing taxes on lodging, rental car and meals services affects out-of-town visitors, cities underestimate the number of local businesses who make use of the same services," McCormick said. "In actuality, these taxes are not only burdening travelers, but also hurt local enterprises that contribute to the local economy."