California lawmakers have reportedly received thousands of dollars worth of free tickets to Taylor Swift concerts while spending months trying to hammer out legislation ostensibly to regulate the ticketing industry.
The lawmakers are reported to have accepted the free tickets from various interest groups. An analysis conducted by Politico suggests a troubling pattern of lawmakers receiving perks from the very industry they claim to be trying to hold accountable.
The findings are part of a wider POLITICO analysis of all 120 state lawmakers’ financial disclosures last year that found 66 state assemblymembers and senators received more than $30,000 total worth of tickets. The giveaways included entrance to Disneyland with mouse ears included, a music festival pass to see country music stars like Eric Church, and San Francisco 49ers seats. One of the biggest recipients of tickets to college sporting events also chairs the higher education committee.
The analysis sheds light on a legal and common way deep-pocketed groups lobby lawmakers in the state of California that is home to Hollywood, musical powerhouses, renowned theme parks and high-grossing sports teams. While many lawmakers accept invites to such events as a way to build relationships with important constituents or highlight major players in their districts, the gifts also raise ethics questions about the privileges enjoyed by public servants.
In particular, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan accepted concert tickets from the San Francisco 49ers on the same day Swift’s Eras Tour came to Levi’s Stadium. The lawmaker did not confirm whether the tickets were for Swift’s concert but reported the tickets’ value at $590, the legal limit for a gift.
The details of the report raise concerns about corruption among California’s lawmakers. “If I get them tickets for a concert or a basketball game, I now have a friend who takes my phone calls,” said government ethics expert Daniel Schnur.
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who introduced a bill to ban exclusive contracts between sellers and venues, also reported accepting $590 worth of football tickets from the 49ers, according to the report. “Standing with our nation’s fiercest consumer groups and taking on a monopoly like Ticketmaster/LiveNation — despite the opposition of many of the sports teams — was something I was proud to do,” she said, defending her actions.
Wicks’ proposal has stalled in her own committee after extensive amendments, which has raised suspicions about the possible influence of the gifts on lawmakers’ decision-making processes.
It is legal for lawmakers to accept gifts, within limits. However, some have questioned the ethics of this practice, especially when it comes to promoting transparency. Sabrina Demayo Lockhart, Executive Director of the California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA), defended the practice, saying, “To ensure transparency and accountability, CAPA diligently discloses all gifts in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.”
CAPA was identified in the report as the top gifter, providing tickets to a slew of lawmakers.
This is one of those stories that is infuriating but not surprising. This type of corruption appears to be par for the course at all levels of government – especially when the voting public remains largely unaware of what their officials are up to.
There is a clear conflict of interest here, if the details of the report are accurate. Sure, it could be a coincidence that legislation aimed at regulating the ticketing industry is stalled as lawmakers receive free Taylor Swift tickets. But given the corruption running rampant in California’s government, one could easily be forgiven for being skeptical. Unfortunately, as long as government officials know they won’t be held accountable for abusing their positions, they will have no incentive to clean up their act.
