Two articles appeared in today's newspaper that were very disturbing. The first, that the Jindal administration has not completely closed the more than $800 million Medicaid funding shortfall and is contemplating, beginning October 1st, cutting more medical services from hospitals in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Houma, Independence, Bogalusa, New Orleans, Pineville, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport.
The other, that the sacred cow, the N. O. Jazz and Heritage Foundation receives a state sales tax exemption on all ticket sales. This practice, which was granted by the legislature in 2011, is presently under review by the State Revenue Study Commission . This commission was set up this past legislative session to assess the impact of these tax exemptions in terms of loss revenues for the state's operating budget. To my surprise, apparently Madi Gras throws are also exempt.
In arguing to keep the exemption, Jazz and Heritage Foundation officials responded “Our concern has always been that we maintain a ticket price that is reasonable.” They pointed out that removing the exemption would lead to increased ticket prices. However, if the sales tax exemption were removed, no one is suggesting that they pass this tax charge on to the customer; ticket prices could remain the same. Just take a little less profit so hospitals might remain open.
Maybe instead of trying to rip the state off, the N.O. Jazz and Heritage Foundation ought to try and do something about those damn surcharges they add to every ticket. The lowest surcharge added is $4 per ticket if you pay cash at the arena, using a credit card at the arena adds per ticket $5.50. Buy them on-line ahead of time via Ticketmaster adds $8.55 per ticket. Maybe they ought to stop dealing with Ticketmaster altogether. Many rock groups have severed their relationship with Ticketmaster in order to provide their audiences with reasonable ticket prices.
Maybe instead of trying to rip the state off, the N.O. Jazz and Heritage Foundation ought to try and do something about those damn surcharges they add to every ticket. The lowest surcharge added is $4 per ticket if you pay cash at the arena, using a credit card at the arena adds per ticket $5.50. Buy them on-line ahead of time via Ticketmaster adds $8.55 per ticket. Maybe they ought to stop dealing with Ticketmaster altogether. Many rock groups have severed their relationship with Ticketmaster in order to provide their audiences with reasonable ticket prices.
In 2012, 450,000 people attended the festival. Ticket prices averaged around $60.00. The state sales tax is 4%.
You do the math. What a tremendous loss of revenue for the state’s operating budget.
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