What is a performance tax?
A performance tax is a fee that record labels want the government to impose on local radio stations simply for airing music free of charge for listeners.*
In recent years, the record labels have seen sales of albums decline as more listeners opt for digital downloads. However, radio remains the number one promotional vehicle for music – it’s not responsible for the label’s resistance to the digital age, and it shouldn’t be on the hook to fix it. Radio already provides between $1.5 to $2.4 billion dollars annually in music sales for artists and record labels. By pushing a tax on local radio, record labels are biting the hand that feeds them.
How does this affect me?
If you’re one of the 235 million people who listen to radio each week, a tax could reduce the variety of music radio stations play, and all but eliminate the possibility of new artists breaking onto the scene. The tax could particularly affect smaller, minority-owned stations, some of which may have to switch to a talk-only format or shut down entirely.
It also affects your community. Radio stations are major contributors to public service – generating $6 billion in public service annually and providing vital news and community information and free airtime to help local charities. If a tax were imposed, stations’ critical public and community service efforts could be reduced.
And worst of all, if you’re one of the 106,000 Americans employed by local radio your job could be in jeopardy. In these troubling economic times, the last thing local radio needs is to be hit with a tax that some analysts estimate could be $2-7 billion annually.*
How can I get involved?
The following Congressmen need to hear from you loud and clear! Call them today to make your important opinion known:
Need to be told to vote "NO" on the Performance tax:
Rush Holt (D-12th) 202-225-5801, and 609-750-9365
Steven Rothman (D-9th) 202-225-5061, and 201-646-0808, and 201-798-1366
Donald Payne (D-10th) 202-225-3436, and 908-629-0222, and 201-369-0392
Senator Robert Menendez (D- NJ) 202-224-4744 and 202-228-2197
Call and thank them for their support:
Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D- NJ) 202-224-3224 and 202-228-405
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D - 06) 202-225-4671 and 202-225-9665
John Adler (D-3rd) 202-225-4765, and 856-985-2777
Scott Garrett (R-5th) 202-223-4463, and 201-712-0330, and 973-300-2000
Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th) 202-225-5034 and 973-984-0711
For more information on the Performance Tax and how it affects you,
visit http://www.noperformancetax.org
*info taken from www.noperformancetax.org
