Read this passage from a rhetorical text in a local newspaper. While out driving yesterday, I counted seven vacant storefronts in the four-block area of our town center. There are additional vacancies in the smaller business district on the north end of town. Not even ten years ago, we had two vibrant, bustling business districts, but now it’s as if we’re living in a ghost town. Sky-high rents have contributed to the dearth of businesses in town, and it’s time the town council does something about it. We should provide tax breaks for property owners who will lower their rents. Some will say our budget cannot afford to fund this kind of tax relief, especially after last year’s damaging storms that required many expensive repairs to city infrastructure. But how can we afford to allow our community to wither away? Our property value is surely going to decline if our business districts continue to fail. In the end, funding tax relief will save us all money.

How does the author respond to the counterargument that the city budget cannot afford tax relief?

a. by stating that there are additional vacant storefronts on the town’s north side
b. by stating that 10 years prior, the town had multiple business districts
c. by stating that last year’s damaging storms required expensive repairs
d. by stating that without providing tax breaks, property values will fall