House subcommittee kills Bonnaroo tax bill for year
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The bill died in the House Finance Budget Subcommittee after it failed to produce a motion for consideration by members. Instead the committee voted to delay debate until next year.
The measure had already been approved unanimously by the Senate.
“I think it’s a polite way of telling me to stick it,” said bill sponsor Judd Matheny, a Republican representative from Coffee County. “There’s been no support for it.”
The bill would have allowed the Coffee County Commission to levy a 5 percent “privilege” tax on tickets to the three-day event, expected to draw 90,000 people June 11-13 to a 600-acre farm in Manchester. Among the acts confirmed to perform are Dave Matthews, Bob Dylan and The Dead.
The tax would have increased ticket costs — which this year range between $139.50 and $164.50 — by an average of $7, Matheny said.
Matheny said he was personally opposed to the bill but brought it at the request of the county commission.
“I’ve carried this bill because it’s my job to carry it in the General Assembly, and I’ve given it every proper consideration,” he said.
Matheny said the commission hoped to use revenue from the tax to pay for medical, law enforcement, transportation and infrastructure services that support the festival.
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On the Net:
Read HB2146/SB2074 at Tennessee General Assembly, www.legislature.state.tn.us