Anaheim's Big Tax Talk: What's the Deal?

The Anaheim City Council is set to discuss a proposal on October 28 that could introduce new taxes on entertainment and parking. Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava is spearheading the initiative, which includes:

• A 3% tax on tickets for large events.
• A 10% tax on parking at major venues.

Who Would Be Affected?

The proposed taxes would apply to venues with:

• More than 20,000 seats
• More than 1,500 parking spots

However, some venues would be exempt:

• Honda Center and the new OCVibe project (due to size restrictions).
• Anaheim Convention Center (excluded from the tax).

Major Venues Impacted:

• Disneyland
• Angel Stadium (though they have a special deal until 2038, which may allow them to recover the tax).

Potential Revenue & Next Steps

If approved, this tax could generate $108 million to $164 million annually for the city. However, the plan must first be approved by five out of seven council members to be placed on the 2026 ballot.

The Big Question

This proposal raises an important debate: Should fun activities be taxed to fund city services? While it could bring in significant revenue, it may also increase costs for visitors.

What do you think? Is this a fair way to fund Anaheim?