Pocono News Section

Scranton City Leaders Consider Amusement Tax

Scranton City Leaders Consider Amusement Tax - Friday, November 16, 2007 at 6:40PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Friday, Nov 16, 2007 @06:40pm EST
((SCRANTON, Lackawanna County) It could be tax time in the Electric City.

Earlier this week, Scranton City Council approved unanimously a proposed "amusement tax."

This new tax would not only affect Scranton taxpayers but anyone who visits the city and enjoys some of the amusements there.

City councilors don't feel their proposed tax rate is too much to ask for, but many people WBRE spoke with have a lot of questions.

Starting next year, you may be paying more to "play" more in Scranton. Shaneke Miles lives in Scranton. She doesn’t like the idea, "That's no good, because I have three boys. So, that would affect me harder."

This week, City Council unanimously passed the first reading of a five-percent tax on admissions to amusements in the city.

Nealon Fanucci spoke with WBRE-TV, “We definitely need to put back into our city structure in our roads, things like that, but now you can put it just about anywhere. "

So far, the tax would be tacked on to movie admissions, concert tickets, skiing and snow-boarding even skate time at the Ice Box.

Nickolas Andreychak is a Senior at the University of Scranton, "I don't agree with the amusement tax. Everything else is taxed already. What else will they do?"

Andreychak says it's already tough enough paying $1,500.00 to play hockey. Nickolas Andreychak added, "I don't want to pay more, especially an amusement tax that's not really specific as to what an amusement is." James Hart added, "I don't know if it's a good thing.

I like the idea, but do they really need it now? More questions came from Tom Nichols. He’s the General Manager of Riverfront Sports.

They specialize in soccer and basketball, but also offer educational programs too. Nichols stated, “I'm confused how it works, whether it's a tax on everything even if all programs aren't amusement related or is there a way to split it up."

In addition, Councilwoman Fanucci says you won't see this tax at high school football games, community pools or any non-profit organizations.

The ordinance hasn't been passed into law just yet. There will be two more readings before it could take effect maybe in January.