PHILADELPHIA, September 28, 2009 – State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) joined Sens. Larry Farnese and Mike Stack (D-Phila.), Philadelphia art students, and members of the theatrical union Actors Equity to speak out against the proposed “arts tax” in the tentatively agreed upon budget.
Leach urged the assembled crowd of hundreds to actively denounce the tax, which would add an additional 8 percent to the cost of tickets to plays, museums, concerts and zoos in the city of Philadelphia, and an additional 6 percent increase elsewhere in the state.
The deal, which has been approved by House and Senate leaders, would require a portion of the money raised from the tax to be channeled back into Pennsylvania’s arts community in the form of grants. Leach said that it is unclear how much of the money would be appropriated and when it would happen.
“A community’s health is judged by the health of its arts,” he said, adding that he will not support the tax if the proposed budget deal comes up for a vote.
Critics of the tax noted that it would impose a fee higher than the current 5 percent amusement tax on tickets to sporting events. They added that an increase in the amusement tax would potentially draw in another $65.3 million of revenue for the state.
Leach expressed his pride in joining the protesters as they marched down the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia.
"The protest drew together people from all over the region to protest this ill-conceived and destructive proposed tax on the arts. I was proud to be among them and will do all I can to make sure this does not happen," he said.
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