New Amusement Tax Would Add $1.50 to Sands Event Center Tickets

Sands Bethlehem Event Center 'happy' with changes to Mayor Callahan's amusement tax proposal.

Patrons of Bethlehem's Sands Event Center could be paying more to see a concert or show. Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan sent a proposed amusement tax ordinance to City Council Thursday that has the apparent blessing of large entertainment venues that had earlier criticized the idea.  Callahan says the tax on concert tickets and other entertainment is needed to help pay for escalating public safety costs without putting more of the burden on city property owners. In November, Sands Bethlehem Event Center officials criticized a proposed 5-percent-a-ticket tax that would have added a $2.50 cost to a $50 ticket. But the proposed ordinance Callahan sent to City Council was more to their liking. "We worked with the mayor and are happy with the …

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