Rendell Says Sales Tax on Arts Tickets Stays on Budget
From KYW Newsradio
by KYW’s Tony Romeo
Despite pleas from the arts community, a spokesman says Governor Rendell is standing by a proposed sales tax on admission to cultural sites and events as part of the state budget deal announced last Friday.
Spokesman Barry Ciccocioppo says Governor Rendell met with leaders of the arts community for about a half an hour on Wednesday. Ciccocioppo says the governor listened to their concerns, and reminded them that the sales tax on tickets was a Senate Republican proposal:
“But that he accepted it because it met his criteria that a budget provide recurring revenue to balance this year and next, and provide funding for education and health care.”
Ciccocioppo says the governor expressed frustration that lawmakers wouldn’t defy “special interests” and consider a tax on smokeless tobacco products, but also said he is hopeful that the sales tax on tickets will create a special fund to insure that the arts community is protected in future budgets.
