Trickle Down Economics on Broadway by Stage Right
Trickle Down Economics on Broadwayby Stage Right
It’s no secret that Broadway theatre owners are generally members of the Democratic Party. The late Gerald Schoenfeld, long-time Chairman of the Shubert Organization had the honor of certifying the ballot for then-Gov. Clinton at the 1992 DNC in New York. Rocco Ladesman of the Jujamcyn Theatre chain is a big contributor to Democratic nominees as is James Nederlander (although he has spread a little bit out to some GOP causes).
So, given their party affiliation, it was surprising to see them make a pilgrimage to Albany to protest a proposed tax on theatre tickets on Broadway.
Is it me, or does this sound like a better argument for supply-side economics then Jack Kemp could make? I thought “trickle-down” concepts like giving tax relief to a strong, big, corporate business like Broadway Theatre owners would in turn benefit the middle class economy by helping the “hard-working men and women employed by Broadway, as well as the thousands of other businesses that rely on Broadway spending” was an old, tired idea from the past.
Why would Rocco Landesman not embrace a tax on large corporations to help fund … no, wait … to INVEST in important programs that the Democrat controlled government will impose on the willing and grateful citizens of the Empire State?
I’m looking forward to next season’s new hit: “NIMBY, The Musical!”
Stage Right is on Facebook.
It’s no secret that Broadway theatre owners are generally members of the Democratic Party. The late Gerald Schoenfeld, long-time Chairman of the Shubert Organization had the honor of certifying the ballot for then-Gov. Clinton at the 1992 DNC in New York. Rocco Ladesman of the Jujamcyn Theatre chain is a big contributor to Democratic nominees as is James Nederlander (although he has spread a little bit out to some GOP causes).
So, given their party affiliation, it was surprising to see them make a pilgrimage to Albany to protest a proposed tax on theatre tickets on Broadway.
“The theatre leaders, according to the Times, argued that the taxes would
not only hurt ticket sales but could set off a chain reaction that would affect
other tourist-related businesses, including restaurants and hotels, as well as
such theatre-dependent businesses as carpentry shops, costume makers and even
dry cleaners, who handle theatre costumes.
Landesman, testifying before the Assembly and Senate leaders, said, ‘With
the ongoing demise of the financial sector, policy makers must fight to nurture
and protect industries, such as Broadway, that have been proven to generate
tourist dollars . . . . I ask you to also recognize the dire consequences this
tax proposal may have on the hard-working men and women employed by Broadway, as
well as the thousands of other businesses that rely on Broadway
spending.’”
Is it me, or does this sound like a better argument for supply-side economics then Jack Kemp could make? I thought “trickle-down” concepts like giving tax relief to a strong, big, corporate business like Broadway Theatre owners would in turn benefit the middle class economy by helping the “hard-working men and women employed by Broadway, as well as the thousands of other businesses that rely on Broadway spending” was an old, tired idea from the past.
Why would Rocco Landesman not embrace a tax on large corporations to help fund … no, wait … to INVEST in important programs that the Democrat controlled government will impose on the willing and grateful citizens of the Empire State?
I’m looking forward to next season’s new hit: “NIMBY, The Musical!”
Stage Right is on Facebook.
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