An Admissions Tax For Kings Island & The Beach?

[The Interpreter]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../608300358/1056

[CoastersRZ]

Yeah, I read that in the paper this morning. I`m sure Kings Island is opposed to any such admissions tax, as they would most likely have to pass the tax onto the consumer (ie the paying customers). Although, like other parks have done, the tax, if approved, would probably be rolled into the price of admission/ season pass.

[Snake Attack!]

^right but that means that Kings Island will be making like a buck less per admission which sure does add up in the end

[Kenban]

Just for everyone info both Geauga Lake and Cedar Point have admissions taxes already.

[CoastersRZ]

Gamesguy08. What I was implying is that instead of PKI taking a hit with the $1 admission tax, they would in turn hike the general admission rate by $1 so that the tax is effectively incorporated in the admission. That way, the park is still making the same amount of money as before the tax. The reason the park does not want the tax, is because they likely do not want to have to pass the tax onto the general public. I can understand Mason wanting to cut residents some slack who work in Cincinnati and are subjected to Cincinnati`s 2.1% income tax, and then to be subjected to another income tax for Mason.

[The Interpreter]

The town of West Miflin, Pennsylvania was taking quite a ride at Kennywood's expense until recently. The Pennsylvania House recently passed a bill that, if enacted (and it looks like it probably will be) would mean West Miflin could no longer hit up Kennywood and its visitors to the extent it has been!

Park's tax exemption draws protest from West Mifflin council

By DAVID WHIPKEY, Daily News Staff Writer

08/16/2006

Most of West Mifflin council is vehemently opposed to the state House of Representatives passing a bill exempting Kennywood Park from the state amusement tax.

Borough Solicitor Michael Adams read a letter during Tuesday's council meeting regarding the situation between West Mifflin and Kennywood.

"The residents of West Mifflin have been financially threatened by Kennywood Entertainment in its brazen attempt to exempt only Kennywood Park from the statewide amusement tax," Adams said, reading the letter. "The elimination of this state-authorized tax would mean a loss of revenue to the borough of approximately $1 million annually and effectively shift that tax directly onto borough residents including many senior citizens on fixed incomes."

The letter stated the borough taxed Kennywood below the rate permitted by state law and the tax was increased to the extent permitted by law only in 2003.

Under current legislation, Kennywood would be the only amusement park in the state to be exempted from the statewide tax, Adams said while reading the letter.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=...id=182121&rfi=6

[KIBeast]

Don't be surprised if Cedar Fair decides to fight it. They just went through this with Cedar Point and Sandusky a few years back.

[SOB_TOM]

I could possibly see them fighting, especially if this tax specifically hits PKI. However, if this is an overall tax on all amusement venues, then it will be a lot harder to fight. Basically if GWL is taxed this fee along with PKI, then it will be a lot harder to fight.

[Avatar]

Sounds like a taxation without representation scheme in other words, money for nothing.

I guess the guests only mean one thing to the parks and government municipalities, how much can we get out of them.

I find any kind of a tax like that very offensive. We are charged sales taxes for everything we do at the park and other area attractions. The higher the prices the parks charge the more taxes the guests have to pay on food and beverages. The hotels have to charge a ridicules lodging tax. You think you got a great deal then when you check in, WHAM, an extra $25.00 lodging tax. Every time I check in to a hotel and after paying my bill I feel like I just got suckered and charged just because I chose a certain area to come stay, and to spend my hard earned money at area attractions. I think half the money collected should go to organizations that will stick up for the Poor suckered tourist. And if they don’t then it truly is taxation without representation. What’s the difference from the man on the corner asking for a dollar and being charged a dollar from government municipalities? I’ll tell you the difference, we chose to give the man on the corner some of our hard earned money and he’ll usually sincerely thanks us. Whereas Government just takes it.

[TheKlockster]

No taxation without representation! We should pour tea in the Little Miami River!!!

[Gordon Bombay]

^Better yet, lets all get some starbucks and pour it in the royal fountain dressed as Jeff Seibert's. Although, that would be pretty expensive.

[Avatar]

No better yet get every family that will be going to Kings Island and The Beach, to go show up at the Mason city council meeting and have their children pull out $4.00 from their jar marked vacation money and tell the city council while they hand it to them “here’s our money we didn’t need that ice cream anyway“.

[TheKlockster]

As sad as that sounds - I don't think they would really care. They want to get money in any way they can.

[RingMaster]

An idea for an admissions tax has been brought up before in the past by Mason, but if I'm not mistaken, they're already taxing Kings Island to begin with. Not to mention they put a restriction on PKI having fireworks after 10pm. Apparently, the town doesn't want loud noises after 10, which doesn't make sense, considering a good three-quarters of Mason lives far enough to where they can barely hear the fireworks. This is why last year, even with 11pm and midnight closes, the fireworks would only go off at 10.

Of course, I could be wrong with all of this.

[Avatar]

As sad as that sounds - I don't think they would really care.  They want to get money in any way they can.

So if what you are saying is true. Then I think the city of Mason, Ohio has FORGOTTEN!!! How fortunate they are to have such great family entities that contribute so much to their community. That they are willing to alienate long standing friends (Kings Island & The Beach) of the community of the city of Mason, by taking advantage of their patrons.

Does that sound about right?

In the article they point out that other communities have done this. So does that make it right? It doesn’t matter what other communities do! IMHO This is their community and they should do what is really fair and just for their community, by appreciating what they do have and get from their friends in the community. Set an example Mason, Ohio don’t just follow what other communities do.

[TheKlockster]

I'm not saying I agree with it - just that they are in it for the money.

[Avatar]

I wasn't saying that I tought you felt that way. I was just saying, if what you said is true about their feelings. Then I went one with my soap box.

[Gordon Bombay]

The city of mason has other large corporations within its city limits that I'm sure pull in more money for the city than both the Beach and Kings Island put together.

[Avatar]

So would the city of Mason, Ohio be so crass as to charge a dollar for every patron of those large business in their community or are they just picking on Kings Island & The Beaches patrons?

I wonder what the other community’s do that don’t have Theme parks to fall back on for their money short falls. It clearly says other communities give full credit to citizens who work outside their communities. If Mason, Ohio wants to look at how other cities make up for short falls on the backs of the patrons visiting vacation destinations. Then maybe Mason, Ohio's city finance committee should look how other communities do it that don’t have Theme Parks in their backyards. Kings Island and The Beach should oppose this tax as it is a unfair targeted tax towards their valued patrons and by doing so the guests get the reassurance that someone is looking out for them.

[KIfan73]

Was there really even much of a city of Mason to speak of before Kings Island?

[The Interpreter]

Yes. But Kings Island was in Kings Mills. It was only recently that Paramount's Kings Island asked to be annexed into Mason, in order to receive its police and fire protection.

[CoastersRZ]

Yeah, it was very recently that PKI asked to be annexed into the city of Mason. While the park should have to pay for the services that it is getting from Mason, I think that Mason is trying to take advantage of places like The Beach and Kings Island with this tax.

[Avatar]

Lets call it what it is; Pandering

I’ll cut your taxes for those who vote; Here

I’ll charge those who don’t vote; Here

Taxation without representation

[PKIVortex]

It's just another way for the city's Government to make more money. An extra $1 per person could bring the city an extra 3 million dollars a year. We pay enough taxes already, we don't need to pay anymore.

[Avatar]

We have 3 little races here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the recourses that it takes on the cities social resources is incredible (in the millions). City workers, Sanitation, Traffic control, Police, Fire, Medical and the list goes on. Well every now and then somebody trying to get easy money from our friends from around the county and the international community by charging a event tax brings up the issue. After a short discussion from the political leaders they always come out with the correct answer It’s not worth alienating our friends that bring in so much money to this city from Food & beverage, hotel, retail, air line taxes and all the jobs they create, it would send a horrible message that we are unappreciative of their business in our community. I feel like I pay to much taxes too, but I would never hope that someone outside my community should pay or reduce my tax burden. It sends the wrong message and it certainly is unwelcoming.

[The Interpreter]

Indeed. But it is a lot easier to move a car race than an amusement park. That's one reason so many communities think they can tax park visitors without worry. West Miflin is miffed as they never thought Kennywood could do anything about that tax, and that the people who visited the park would visit anyway and pay the tax without even noticing.

Some of the highest admission taxes I have seen are in the Gatlinburg AREA. Pigeon Forge has a very high one. Look at the itemization on your Dollywood tickets.

Maggie Valley, NC HAD one, and Ghost Town In The Sky was subject to it. It was probably one of the factors in the park closing. Now it may reopen, and the local community is CURRENTLY doing everything it can to get the park open. Seems they need the economic impact that has been missing since it closed.

Ironically, Cedar Fair probably has more power in this situation now than Paramount Parks had. Cedar Fair could, should it choose to, point out that local tax situations are one thing it evaluates when deciding where to put investments. . .and it owns three different parks in Ohio (and a separately gated water park).

[KIBeast]

You guys think it's bad in Mason, try living in Huntington, WV. They are trying to tax us to death. Not only that, there are many ridiculous business taxes, no one wants to come to Huntington to open new business. However, I do agree with you guys that this new tax is b.s.

[WooferBearATL]

Maybe I've missed it but I don't see that anyone has pointed out what the tax is to go towards. So maybe before criticizing the situation it would be prudent to determine what it is needed for?

[KIBeast]

^Good point, woofer. Anyone know what it will be used for/earmarked for?

[Avatar]

I read the artical and that is why I resonded to it and at times refered to it. they want to give a tax credit to thier citizens who work outside thier district but they don't know how to replace around 2 million they would loss in doing so. They think if they charge $1.00 for a gate tax it will give them around 3 million, and that would cover the tax break plus a extra million.

They are not doing anything with the money except to give thier citizens a tax break and then pass the cost to Kings Island and the Beach Patrons (who are mostly from out of town) and it does say this in the artical.

From the article that I’m referring to, I think it is prudent to criticize Mason, Ohio for even considering such a solution to charge Kings Islands and the beaches patrons so they may give tax breaks for their community.