Dear Texas music industry professional:
I am Terry Lickona, producer for the past 36 years of the PBS program
“Austin City Limits”, but today I am writing solely as a Texan working
in the music industry. I ask that you contact your state legislator in
support of 3 bills critical to the growth and vitality of Texas music.
Senate Bill 1179, introduced by Sen. Deuell
relating to a reduction in the mixed beverage tax for certain venues
that present live music; authorizing a fee.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1179
Senate Bill 1498, introduced by Sen. Deuell
relating to a sales tax exemption for certain items sold to or used by
certain venues that present live music.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1498
House Bill 3095, introduced by Rep. Strama (which combines SB 1498 and SB 1179)
relating to a reduction in the mixed beverage tax for certain venues
that present live music; authorizing a fee.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=HB3095
The recording industry has decreased nearly 60 percent since 1999,
leaving musicians and music businesses with less opportunities for
income. Live music has since emerged as the industry’s primary
business driver. There are several financial barriers that venue
owners such as nightclubs, dancehalls, restaurants and bars face in
presenting live music, including start-up costs, high taxes and
copyright fees. Currently there are no incentives by law for
presenting live music.
The intent of these bills is to create an incentive for venues to book
more live music, thus contributing to the economy and culture of our
state. These bills will also boost sales of sound and lighting
equipment and the associated labor used to present live music. They
will cut in half the TABC tax on music venue alcohol sales if a venue
presents live music four or more times each week. They will amend the
exemption authorized by Section 151.3185 of the tax code for producers
of audio recordings to include an exemption for these venues that
present live music 4 or more times a week, and exempt them from paying
sales tax on certain items related to the performance of live music
such as sound and lighting equipment and labor related to
music-related equipment or materials including sound mitigation.
I urge you to contact your legislator to express support for these
bills. To find out your representative’s and senator’s phone number,
go to
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
and fill in the blanks in the “who represents me” fields.
Thanks for your time. If you have any questions, please reply to this
email and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Terry Lickona