Rally against proposed Pa. 'art tax'

  

PHILADELPHIA - September 25, 2009 -- More than 150 people angry about a proposed tax on state arts and cultural venues held a protest in downtown Philadelphia.

The crowd carried signs and rallied Friday outside a hotel building where Gov. Ed Rendell has an office. They then marched down Broad Street, which is also called "Avenue of the Arts" for its numerous theaters.

The proposed tax would add 8 percent to the cost of an arts ticket in the city and 6 percent elsewhere. Some lawmakers say it's needed to help close a spending gap and end a 3-month-old budget stalemate.

State Sen. Larry Farnese was one of three state senators to join the protest. The Philadelphia Democrat denounced the proposed tax as a "backroom deal" and said he would oppose it.

Follow Action News on Twitter

Get Action News on your website

Follow Action News on Facebook

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Get more Inside Politics »

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•