It’s Fix the Tax Code Friday! News reports continue to focus on the death of Michael Jackson, his memorial, and his funeral. Enormous amounts of public resources have been dedicated to policing the memorial service, keeping Jackson’s family away from the press, and investigating Jackson’s “alleged” drug use. Comparisons have been drawn to other public figures – and professional sports teams – who have relied on public dollars to police and protect them after championships and other notable moments in their lives. In some instances, such as the Lakers parade, funding is donated by the celebs in question or by fans. In others, funding has come out of the city’s general fund.
So today’s Fix the Tax Code Friday question is:
Should taxpayers bear the cost of protecting and policing private citizens (including sports teams) who require or merit (depending on your point of view) extra attention? Is there a threshold for who should be allowed extra policing for “free” – such as national champs – or should the super rich pay their own way? Or all private citizens equal when it comes to tax dollars?
KPE
All private citizens should be equal when it comes to tax dollars. In general, the costs for “extra policing” for such private events should be passed along to the organizers, in this case the estate of the gloved one.
When I was in non-profit and we needed a policeman to handle traffic for a special event we were charged by the City for that policeman’s time, even though the event was to benefit a charitable organization.
I expect there are exceptions. The funeral of a “head of state”, such as a President or Governor, would be an exception. But certainly not the funeral of a private citizen, however popular.
When it comes to sports teams there may be a justification. In the past there have been occasions when a winning NYC team has been given a parade by the City. One could take into consideration the fact that the team’s participation in the event increased City revenue via sales and excise taxes on ticket sales to the event that was won (and increased potential ticket sales to future games resulting from the team’s winning), concession sales at the event, and other increased business activity resulting from the event. Plus the fact that the event draws big out-of-town crowds generates income when these out-of-towners spend money while in town for the day.
The annual TONY awards invoke a similar issue. Taxes on Broadway ticket sales and various related services, meals, parking, concessions, generate lots of money for the City, so an event that encourages more ticket sales is of benefit to the City. Similarly the film industry is a major source of income for LA, and the OSCAR awards benefit that industry.
TWTP
I agree with the previous response. Every citizen stands equal before the government. When Private Citizen Jackson’s estate and the arena owners decided on such a lavious event, from which they will make millions, they should pick up the tab.
There are exceptions for sure. Traditionally in the South, when a citizen makes a life long contribution to the community, the community collectively shows respect to the family in its time of grief. When my great-uncle’s funeral was held in Rock Hill, SC, policemen and firemen were at every corner of the city when the funeral entoruage passed. Those men removed their hats and placed over their hearts as the hearse and family passed as a show of respect for the man and his contribution. At the time, it was the right thing for the community to do.
Recently in Wilmington, NC, Sgt. 1st Class Edward Kramer was laid to rest at Wilmington National Cemetery Thursday. The city, county and many others were alongside the military to honor Sgt. Kramer’s service to his country, serving and dying in Iraq, and to his community as a fire fighter. Cassion, military honor guard, bagpipes, 21 gun salute an a vast sea of people showing up in a torrential down pour of rain, as if the heavens themselves cried over the loss of this man, by the family as well as the community.
The difference, for me, is night and day. Respect for a private citizen who made a fortune from his talent, as did the folks around him. Let them honor him on their nickel.
But when a citizen contributes to their country or/and their community, their service should be recognized and respected, even in a public way, if the community decides to do so. It is right and distinct between the two, a private citizen and the public service citizen.
I agree with both. Mr. Jackson’s family should pay. Here in Arkansas (and, I suppose, in a lot of other places too) a funeral procession gets a police escort because they’re allowed to pass throiugh red lights and stop signs. I don’t know if the city/cou8nty provides the escort for free or if it’s paid for out of the exorbitant charges the undertaker levies on the bereaved. Or if the bereaved are charged extra.
Interesting, though: when a private citizen gets naughty, it’s the
other way around. God only knows how much the state had to pay for OJ Simpson’s murder trial, or Mr. Jackson’s molestation trial. When Joe Who? goes on trial for similar offenses, it’s three days in court and then off to the pokey for the rest of eternity.