Should California Taxpayers Pay For Michael Jackson's Memorial? (POLL)

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry said today that she was concerned about how much Michael Jackson's memorial on Tuesday will end up costing the city. EOnline has reported that the event could run the financially-strapped city $2.5 million. Perry has said that she would "love it" if the Jackson family would help cover some of the expenses.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Daily News reports, city councilman Dennis Zine said today that "concert promoter and Staples Center owner AEG should pay all the expenses for Michael Jackson's memorial tribute, and the cash-strapped city should be reimbursed for the cost of deploying police and fire crews to secure the streets around the event. "

"This is not an emergency. This is a memorial service for a celebrity who died a week ago," Zine said. "We are cognizant of AEG's need to honor the memory of Michael Jackson, but they should also be cognizant of the taxpayers' needs."

Zine added that AEG could have held a private memorial, but they chose to make it public even handed out free tickets.

More details about the potential costs from the Los Angeles Times.

Because the fiscal year started July 1, the fund for all police overtime -- which according to one source covers 1.6 million hours, or nearly $90 million -- is flush. But some city officials questioned the wisdom of spending possibly more than $1 million for overtime so early in the fiscal year, noting that the city could find itself cash-strapped later in the event of a fire, earthquake or other major disaster.

Do you think taxpayers should be responsible for paying the cost of Jackson's memorial? Vote below.

Quick Poll

Should California Taxpayers Pay For Michael Jackson's Memorial?

Yes, absolutely, 100%.

The Jacksons should pay for part of it.

AEG should pay for it.

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Comments

[ramal]

A three mile buffer zone should be cordoned off around the Staples Center in LA, anyone entering who cannot prove that they do not live or own a business in the area should be charged $25.00 per person to get in. Those funds should go to supplementing the costs that the city and state will have to bear for this circus.

[truelockCA]

Great idea!

[TXfemmom]

You know, I think that is an excellent idea.

[jane gallagher]

Ramal for LA mayor!

[truelockCA]

What kind of poll was that? Where was "absolutly not"? The options were Yes, Yes but only most of it, and a dig at some company.

[BlueStateMensch]

You know.... a while ago, there was this criminal case here In Los Angeles involving a preschool owned & operated by a family... the McMartin's.

One kid told a story about abuse..& blossomed into accusations of Satanic Rituals & Covens...

Pretty soon there were 360 children claiming that THEY TOO, were sexually abused.. & lynchmobs started to sprout up..

The ENTIRE family was thrown into jail for almost SEVEN YEARS & the effect nationwide created a CHILL... grandparents cuddling their grandkids were looked upon with derision & suspicion.

The thing of it was... it was ALL a LIE.

EVERY bit of it... mass hysteria caused by ONE KID FIBBING.

They were acquitted.... but their lives were RUINED & they never were able to make a living again..even though they were COMPLETELY INNOCENT.

One kid accused Michael Jackson.... he paid the EXTORTIONISTS off just to avoid the RUINATION of HIS career... & ANOTHER kids mother induce HER son to LIE & a trial ensued because the Jacksons CALLED their BLUFF this time.

HE was acquitted.... & his "transgressions" were NEVER proven in a COURT of LAW.

Just a CAUTIONARY tale......

[lianmolive]

Still, that doesn't mean MJ is innocent. I agree with what you're saying; however in the McMartin's case, it WAS proven that the people who asked the questions were leading. Now, the first kid, (and correct me if I"m wrong) was able to describe MJ's gen.e.ta.lia. And didn't he also pass a lie detector test?

Anyway, the point is, we don't know for sure one way or another. Some would say, Why did the parent not go for the conviction? Others would ask, Why would MJ pay off if he's innocent?

Yes lives are ruined when the innocent are accused.... likewise... lives are ruined when something "bad" happens, regardless of belief or outcome in conviction.

So there are plenty of people (I'm not necessarily one of them) who believed that MJ was a mon.s.ter, which makes their accu.sa.tions acceptable even in death, IMO.

Regardless of how someone feels about MJ, the point here, however, is that LA residents should not have to flip the bill for police services -- and that's the MAIN point.

[BlueStateMensch]

Agreed.

[tcastillo]

No, you are wrong. The state owes him. People who pay off initial lawsuits just don't want a public spectacle, especially someone like him. This left the door open for more opportunists. People who think he was guilty and creepy, need to look inside their own mind of why they would think this way.

[cobobs]

For $20million people can concoct elaborate plots. Even domestic staff could be employed to obtain crucial information. Michael Jackson was an easy mark. Do innocent parties pay to get out of lawsuits? Absolutely. It happens all the time, when the sued party has the funds and cannot deal with the aggravation. People do what their lawyers recommend.

[Halfwit]

MJ's life was a cautionary tale.

[BlueStateMensch]

Indeed...

I'm just saying that we shouldn't fall into "mass hysteria"... it defies clear thought.

[truelockCA]

I heard in his own voice that he thought there was no problem sleeping over with little kids....come on! It was super creepy.

He was a talented young man.....but went super coocoo

[BlueStateMensch]

Weird?

WITHOUT A DOUBT... I worked with him years ago.

"Sleeping over"... inappropriate... but not PROOF of abuse.

[tcastillo]

Not just talented, super wealthy and a target. People misunderstood his kindness for weakness. And as they say, 'kick him when he is down''. He was a nice, gentle person who would not abuse a fly. I met him, and I know what happened.

[sean6886]

I was recently in Southern California (last week) and I gotta tell you, their roads need that taxpayer money more than a MJ funeral. I'm sure their schools, community programs, etc., need it more than an MJ funeral.
Jackson was an enterainer but that's it. The family and the owners of the Staple Center wanted the memorial, not the residents or government of California.
Sure, the state is going to receive tax revenue from all the people filing in, but so what. People file into California everyday. They have beaches, amusement parks, art museums, etc.
I know MJ's fans are mourning, but many celebrities die each day and never get this treatment.
I say NO to taxpayer dollars spent on this. This is pork and barrel spending.

[Halfwit]

I have been arguing for too many days about this.
No one knows the truth about Michael Jackson's life.
I understand people liked him. I think he was vile.
Let us leave it at that.

[loveobamas]

Yeah you should leave it at that.

[JamesLM207]

I think NAMBLA should pay for it- he was their hero after all.

[loveobamas]

That "joke" has already been said,try again.

[Yves Papa]

I'd like to see it again.

[77thSGT]

I happen to be an LAPD officer who will work this debacle on Tuesday. For the record, most, if not all of police personnel will be on overtime pay for a minimum of 12 to 15 hours. That’s roughly 75 dollars per hour, per officer. Not only do I think this is a waste of time, but as a resident of Los Angeles, I am offended that my tax dollars are going to pay for the services of One Man. I understand the need to give fans a service, but let’s put it in perspective; officers are constantly being lambasted for acquiring overtime for legitimate arrests. Meanwhile, the city is handing out millions of dollars in overtime for this event. Poor judgment.

[lianmolive]

Great post. Thank you.

[Tyrone Jones]

The mismanagement of how funds should be allocated is what this POLL should be asking. It is the POLICY from law makers not taxpayers. They know we live in a city of Celebrities and budgets and fundraisers should be a part of politicians duties. We should have fundraisers events and start a fund to pay POLICE for these sort of things. Give me a JOB at City Hall but that will be voting bottom up. We don't vote that way in America....Oh wait. We did, Barack Obama. VOTE PEOPLE.

[Samalabear]

Excellent post.

[jane gallagher]

THANK YOU! --- I think it is interesting that all of the people clamoring to have the taxpayers of LA support this memorial are from somewhere else.

[tcastillo]

Then move.

[BlueStateMensch]

You know...

I was a HUGE fan of Carl Malden...

He was BELOVED world wide & has left a body of work behind him that is unrivaled.

MILLIONS of fans!!!!

..& MY guess is that the will ALL come to see him off.... but even if they DON'T, we MUST be "prepared".

I think the City of Los Angeles should pony-up & have a BIG memorial....

Let's see... HOW ABOUT at the OLYMPIC AUDITORIUM.

Yeah... that's good.. & I'm sure that the Academy (of which he was a President) will foot the bill for the venue & its security....

But, HEY....

ANYONE who has had to drive on Olympic Boulevard KNOWS that the City will come to a standstill with the excess traffic...

So we'll need an extra MILLION DOLLARS to hire more police to help control it.

Who should pay?

Why the CITY, of course... after all...WHO NEEDS schoolbooks for our kids?

Who needs a FIRE DEPARTMENT?

Who needs to care for the poor in subsidized housing??

I DON'T CARE.... because I LOVED CARL... & THAT is all that matters.

[Halfwit]

Blue State, you know I love you, but it is "Karl," not "Carl"

[BlueStateMensch]

The last time I tried "Karl" (as in Rove) in went pending.

[BlueStateMensch]

photo

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

The last time I tried "Karl" (as in R.ove) in went pending.

[tcastillo]

Wrong blog.

[Bluesue]

This is a far different event than the burial of an ordinary person or even a celebrity like Farah Fawcett.

I think AEG, owners of the Staple Center and his tour promoter, should pay. They are going to be making millions from this in the sale of DVD of the memorial.

[DismayedRepub]

Poor Farah, always getting upstaged. RIP darling.

[Halfwit]

The Jacksons should be resposible for the cost. I am sure AEG is providing the venue for free, but the Jacksons should pay for their own police presence at the funeral - just like everyone else.

[Tyrone Jones]

This city is making money since the day he died. Restaurants and businesses are happy to see this money due to Mr. Jackson's tribute in past week. The online sales have people picking up EXTRA items not associated with him when they purchase a Michael Jackson item.

[BlueStateMensch]

Businesses are making some money... but how much of that ends up in the CITY coffers?

[Tyrone Jones]

Going to the dark side....again

[tregibbs]

HELL NO !!!

[dnno1]

Because it has now become a public venue, the city should be responsible for as much as police, fire protection, and traffic control a any normal public event like a ball game or a concert. any other incicentals could be paid for by a private source (if they are willing to) and any media outlet who happens to cover it.

[BlueStateMensch]

The promoters of ALL of those events are BILLED for the extra police.

They PAY for it.. just as the BILLIONAIRE PROMOTERS of this MEDIA EVENT will have to.

[johnnynyc]

Let me correct you again.

The Lakers weren't billed for anything. The VOLUNTEERED to kick in.

The mayor then went looking to the private sector for more handouts to pay for the rest.

Stop it with the lies already.

[green4good]

Its not a public venue. Its a private event for which tickets are being sold to attend. Los Angeles residents receive no benefit from this and should not be required to pay for the Jackson family fund raiser.

[dnno1]

There were people who couldn't get in to see the services that were outside the arena. There was increased traffic around the area because of it to the point where the Califronia Highway Patrol and other officials had to make PSA's to discourage the public away from the area. I am sorry, but the fact that this was a public affair was unavoidable, and it was the city's responsibility to act accordingly.

[Giada]

Show your love for California ... buy an MJ T-Shirt and pay the tax :)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/07/belt-buckles-are-forever-michael-jacksons-is-this-it-merch-.html

[M1]

I think paying the bill during a hard time shows some real class and there is a fund for such things. Michael Jackson had his residence in California. His life was extraordinary and we should send him off properly.

[BlueStateMensch]

YOU send him off.

[TainoBoy]

Night Blue, take care gentle soul.

[M1]

Stay classy!

[datone]

Make sure you have enough in your account before you sign the check. We the taxpayers owe him nothing.

[TainoBoy]

Cosign.

[lianmolive]

Maybe we should pay for all those whose lives were extraordinary... regardless of their level of status. Every LA resident, then, should have police escorts for funerals and have the city pay for it. NOT!

[artgurrl]

Great, do it on your dime then. You want government sponsored idolatry in that case. I say a resounding NO to that.