


The residents of New York state already pay some of the highest taxes in the nation. Now Governor David Patterson wants those residents to pay even more taxes in the form of entertainment taxes.
New York is facing a devastating budget deficit in the coming year. After a special session where the legislature was told to cut spending, nothing was done leaving the decisions up to the Governor.
Governor Patterson is proposing to tax music downloads from services like iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody. Music fans already pay tax on music bought in stores and with the new proposal music fans would pay for the digital music and movies as well.
But Patterson has not stopped there. He is proposing taxing ticket sales on everything from sporting events to movies. Fans who already pay exorbitant prices for concert tickets will have to pay taxes on those tickets. Patterson is also proposing to repeal tax breaks entertainment and movie companies currently receive for making their movies withing the state.
Television viewers are also targeted with proposed taxes on cable and satellite television services.
Western New York has been hit extremely hard in recent years with companies and residents leaving in droves. Those left behind who are either lucky enough to have a job or can't afford to leave are hit hard with extra tax charges intended to bridge the gap left by those who left the area. The tax proposals will further decimate the struggling sports and entertainment services in the area. New York City will fair a little better since the city offers its own tax breaks to entertainment companies who work withing the area.
Governor David Patterson took office after the resignation of Elliot Spitzer following a sex scandal. Patterson was the subject in a controversial skit performed on "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend.
See also: www.examiner.com/x-746-NY-Music-Examiner~y2008m12d11-Ticket-Installment-Plan
www.examiner.com/x-746-NY-Music-Examiner~y2008m11d13-Ticketmaster-Drops-Fees
www.examiner.com/x-746-NY-Music-Examiner~y2008m12d12-Top-Concerts-of-2008