Local leaders rally against amusement fees for event venues [Video]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Local and state leaders are joining business owners to push back against the City of Buffalo’s amusement fees requiring entertainment venues to pay extra for events. The City announced a “pause” on this tax, but some say that’s not enough.

At RiverWorks Thursday, a ticketed concert was taking place. Without the city’s pause this week, RiverWorks would have had to pay an amusement fee of over $200, a big reason some local leaders and small business owners are calling for its complete removal.

“Find a suitable way to improve the City’s finances without sacrificing the vibrant cultural and economic landscape that makes Buffalo unique,” Assemblymember Jon Rivera said. “That’s what this is about.”

State Senator Sean Ryan claimed the city, in its effort to fill a $40 million budget hole, is trying to find an easy way out.

“The city needs to admit that trying to …