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Public Comment
From:Natalie Meeks <natalieameeks@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, July 18,
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Entertainment Tax Proposal
Attachments:Entertainment Tax Oppose Letter.pdf
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
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Natalie Meeks
Anaheim CA 92807
Dear Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmembers,
I am opposed to the creation of a ticket tax that would adversely and unnecessarily impact the
residents of Anaheim. It would also go against the commitments we made to the residents
when the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) was increased so that visitors to Anaheim, not
residents, would generate General Fund revenue to fund city services.
It is clear the strategy is working. TOT has been a tremendous source of income to the General
Fund and has funded vital City services including police, fire and community services. This
revenue is realized without cost to Anaheim residents, it is paid by visitors. A ticket tax would
be a direct financial impact to visitors AND residents that visit our popular destinations.
Whether it is tickets for a baseball game or a trip to Disneyland, our local families need
another unnecessary tax burdening them.
The current TOT revenue shows a ticket tax is unnecessary. The pandemic had a devastating
impact on TOT and a ticket tax would not have prevented our financial losses during this time.
Fortunately, Anaheims established financial strategy is strong and resilient. The TOT recovery
has been remarkable. It is now your job to protect the financial strategy and protect the future of
TOT.
Many travelers discovered new destinations during the pandemic and Californias associated
stringent policies. California and Anaheim need to encourage visitors to return and adopt
policies that welcome them. A ticket tax will steer some visitors away from Anaheim. In
addition, policies like this will steer some conventions away from Anaheim which will have an
immense negative impact on our long term TOT.
I am asking the Councilmembers to protect Anaheims successful financial strategy, to support
the Anaheim Resort to ensure high-yielding TOT revenues, and to protect our residents from
unnecessary financial burden. Do not support a ticket tax.
Thank you,
Natalie Meeks