Petitioners to Albany Common Council: Reject Albany’s proposed “live music tax”

Opponents of the upcoming Albany live entertainment license bill took to the internet on Wednesday, starting a petition through Change.org that aims on rejecting the bill in it’s entirety.

The petition, started by Jeremy Routhier-James, asks for the Albany Common Council to  reject “the fee of $300-$900 to host live music and other entertainment.”

“Live music and entertainment are integral to a thriving city. Countless independent musicians, comedians, poets, and karaoke and trivia hosts depend on a vibrant nightlife scene in the region for their livelihood and means of artistic expression. Small venues such as coffee shops that host open mics and performances by local musicians play an important role in the local music scene. We fear that the already limited opportunities for performers in Albany will only diminish if the Albany Common Council adopts this proposal,” according to the petition’s statement.

As of 1:57 p.m. today, the petition had 82 signatures out of 250.

The bill would regulate venues per square footage, subsequently changing the authority of licensing live entertainment venues from the Board of Zoning Appeals to five city department heads with license issuance from the city clerk.

The bill’s opponents include business owners and musicians.

“Without good venues (something Albany’s already faced with), the local music scene will crumble. Anyone who went to shows even five-seven years ago knows its a completely new scene around here. Its just starting to get better – lets not take backwards steps here,” said Steve Struss, the drummer for MIRK and one of the petition’s signers.

The bill is up for debate at the Common Council’s planning committee meeting on February 15 at 5 p.m.

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