The mayor's advisers are attempting to alter the widespread public belief that the mayor's restructuring of the city's taxation system is to blame for the poor business climate in the city. They say that the poor business climate is part of a national phenomenon and that the mayor is only blamed because of a coincidence in time: the business climate happened to get worse shortly following the tax restructuring.

Which of the following, if true, would cast most serious doubt on the advisor's claim about the reason that the tax restructuring is blamed for the poor business climate?

(A) There was a noticeable deterioration of the city's public transporation system immediately following the tax restructuring but the public drew no connection between the two events.
(B) When the mayor was elected, by a sizeable majority, he had clearly enunicated his intention to restructure the city's taxation system.
(C) Most economist agree that the effects of the tax restructuring on the city's business environment would not be immediately obvious, but would take at least a year to make themseleves felt.
(D) Despite the nationwide poor business environment. similar tax restructuring is being planned in cities of similar size throughout the country.
(E) While the public generally objects to anything perceived to be likely to increase their taxes, they are just as quick to object to any reduction in the services supported by tax revenues.

Could you please help in answering and please explain your answer.

Thanks

Apologies that we haven't been able to get to this sooner. We actually don't believe the 1000 series is a good study source, so we prioritize questions from sources we consider more valid.

This one is a case in point. I don't think any of the answers are good.

Ppl believe that tax system restructuring led to poor business climate.
Mayor's advisors says poor climate is national phenom
coincidence that biz climate got worse just after restructuring

Task: weaken the advisor's claim that it is a coincidence due to timing

A) irrelevant
B) irrelevant
C) this would strengthen advisor's claim
D) irrelevant (though I wonder if this is claimed as the right answer)
E) irrelevant

Conclusion: I wouldn't study this one.