![Anti-ticket tax petition signatures are counted at City Hall. [Olivia Miltner / WOSU]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a5b655f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/840x560!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fimages%2Fnews%2Fnpr%2F2019%2F07%2F739555244_1010682909.jpg)
Opponents of Columbus’ ticket tax submitted around 19,000 signatures Monday to put a ballot measure in front of voters in November.
The ballot measure would stop any tax or fee from being placed on tickets for arts and entertainment events in Columbus. It’s a direct response to the two ticket taxes that went into effect last week, placing a 5% fee on admissions costing more than $10.
Ben Frech, who helped lead the petition effort, says the public deserves a say in the tax.
“Our concern is that City Council pushed this through without really considering what the public felt about this," Frech said.
Supporters say Columbus arts are publicly underfunded, and the first ticket tax is expected to generate $6 million annually for arts organizations. Frech thinks the city should instead secure more private funding.
A similar 5% tax on Nationwide Arena events will go toward maintaining that facility.
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