New York Gov. David Paterson proposes a new theater ticket tax that would increase ticket prices about 8 percent, which causes New York Times editors to worry that such a move "could dim Broadway's lights as tourists start thinking twice about that vacation in Manhattan":
Rocco Landesman, the president of Jujamcyn Theaters, summarizes his latest pleas to lawmakers this way: “Please, don't kill your golden goose.”
[. . .]
Thirteen Broadway shows have closed within the last month, including spectacles like “Spamalot,” “Hairspray,” “Spring Awakening” and “Young Frankenstein.” The last thing New York City needs is for ticket prices to go higher and more of the Great White Way to go dark.
Good lord -- that which is taxed is discouraged! The New York Times somehow seems to have wandered across Economics 101. And the corollary to that is -- class, anyone? yes I think I see the hand of a New York Times editor -- reducing taxes would be an incentive!
What am I doing here, dreaming, or what?
(HT to Best of the Web)
