Do the Right Thing - Don't Tax Our Arts & Culture

Last night the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rules Committee sent a tax code bill (HB 1531) to the full House of Representatives that does NOT include a sales tax on admissions to performances, museums, and zoos. The bill does include some new revenue streams such as a tax on smokeless tobacco and a severance tax on natural gas. This bill is a change to the handshake agreement that was reached on September 18, 2009 between Governor Rendell and leaders of 3 of the 4 legislative caucuses.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge that you vote YES on the tax code bill (HB 1531) that was approved by the House Rules Committee on October 1, 2009 - and keep the current expenditure plan for the budget intact.

The bill does include some new revenue streams such as a tax on smokeless tobacco and a severance tax on natural gas, but does not put Pennsylvania's communities at risk by taxing arts and cultural admissions.

Pennsylvania has been without a budget for more than eighty days and the state needs to resolve this now. There are plenty of options for revenue - and putting the theaters, historical sites, artists, and museums at risk that make Pennsylvania so unique is not one of them.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 02, 2009