Answer:
Setting the mood and tone of her speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
Muriel's approach to her speech prepares the mind of her listeners who are made up of business leaders who are known to usually have negative views about increasing taxes.
Thus, Muriel may be able to reach the emotions of her listeners towards accepting her point of view. This is evident by the the statement "Our community has been strong in the face of adversity, but we now face the most serious challenge in years", in which it likens the decreasing tax revenues to an adversity that should be overcomed; thus employing more support.