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

[ScoutandBuckGoodDogs]

NO. The state is busy furlowing its employees... This is ridiculous to think that just because he paid a lot in taxes that he "deserves" for tax money to foot the bill. If that's the case, we ALL deserve similar. Just because he made more money, doesn't mean he's got more rights. The Jackson's, AEG and his friends (who probably have billions between them) should foot the bill.

Sure, he was a huge entertainer but to rationalize a strapped state/city paying for this sort of thing is pure stupidity.

[forpeace]

ScoutandBuckGoodDogs
-------------
Are those your dogs?
Very cute!

[TainoBoy]

Forpeace, have a good night milady.

[SDSlivesOn]

Yep. Look how many jobs Jacko has and will continue to create in California. It's the least you can do for him.

[forpeace]

SDSlivesOn
------------
........ so why are you calling him Jacko then?!

[ProtectTheBabies]

It's opinions like SDSLIVESON that has driven California into the red by $30 Billion. Dude, Cali is broke !!

[TainoBoy]

His name is Mr. Michael Joseph Jackson. And no, his name is not foreign.

[TheLastDraftee]

Are you kidding? Can the city come fix third street first.

[ScoutandBuckGoodDogs]

AMEN!

[BlueStateMensch]

heh!

Sunset Boulevard could use a tweak or too near LaBrea.

[Clare53]

I vote for using the money to fix Olympic and Wilshire.

[artgurrl]

Don't stop at third street either. 4th street needs some serious repairs. Alameda is just one big pothole.

[mimigrammy]

Michael Jackson and his family have been supporting the tax payers of California for years. They have done so through paying property tax, state tax, and countless other revenues that came back to the people of California via millions if not billions of dollars that otherwise would have gone some place else had the Jackson's not lived in California. Since Michael Jackson died millions of dollars have come into California in ways most would not even think of. LA, California will make money off of the death of Michael Jackson, so everyone should quit whinning about spending a couple of million in tax dollars to give the one and only "King of Pop" a proper and fitting send off.

[Essentialboom]

Thank You.. They aren't going to be complaining when all those people flying in for the memorial book their hotels, eat at their restaurants and makes LAX plenty of money

[BlueStateMensch]

HOW does this help the CITY?

We're NOT talking about the PRIVATE SECTOR.

[DnDCfromChi-town]

Hear , Hear!!!

[ScoutandBuckGoodDogs]

What a ridiculous rationalization...

[Clare53]

Ditto.

[lianmolive]

Tell all those laid off LA workers, like teachers, to stop whining!

[valentino]

There are people far, far richer than the Jacksons in California, who pay far more taxes than the Jacksons. Do they deserve special privileges? Should we taxpayers pay for all of their memorial services?

[4earth]

I am of mixed feelings. On the one hand, this is an unplanned added expense for a city that is suffering financially. On the other hand, the entertainment industry has brought in a LOT of revenue for LA and CA in general and I'm sure MJ has been a part of that over the years. So maybe it should be a shared expense?

[lynjs]

Did all of you folk call Mr. McMahon's family or Ms. Fawcett's family to reimburse the city for their police motorcade?

Why not make it a law for ALL families of the deceased to pay for police escort and security? Then it will be mute. Not so palatable charging a poor family, is it now?

[TainoBoy]

cosign.

[Patricia84]

co-cosign

[forpeace]

lynjs
-------
I called Reagan's Family ........... but Nancy hung up on me.

......... I really wanted the money back.

[TainoBoy]

lol

[nana4g]

Ordinary people in Texas DO pay for police escorts for the funereal procession from funeral home to church to cemetery. Included in funeral home costs. In this case, it should be AIE's responsibility.

[DnDCfromChi-town]

Truth

[BlueStateMensch]

Those are HIRED off-duty patrolman.

Apples & Oranges.

[Tyrone Jones]

Maybe the cops can afford a TiVo with the extra pay. Going to see a concert cost more than HD Videos....LOL

[MagicalPossibilities]

I like Michael's music just as much as the next person, but California is broke.
I don't care how famous a person was, the family and/or their trust should pay for the memorial. When I die, I don't expect to have my funeral publicly funded.

[joe transit]

I love MJ however while he was living his opulent and lavish King of Pop lifestyle I was struggling to put food on my table, why on earth should I foot this bill? Let the wealthy Jacksons fork up the cash., if I were to pay for anything like this, I'd like to put a tombstone on my own mothers grave.

If the Jacksons can spend 25 million to hush up little boys they can pay to bury theirs.

I love you Michael, rest in peace.

[loveobamas]

While you talking now the boy who claim Michael "touch" him just admitted he l.i.ed.

[Halfwit]

That story is a web hoax.
No Confession.

[Iraqnophobia]

please provide a link, that is big news....also, provide links from the other 50 kids too. This should be the main thread, ground breaking news like this hasnt hit the msm yet. Another big scoop for huffpo, right up there with black people eating each other after Katrina...

[valentino]

Jordan Chandler admitted no such thing, nor did Gavin Arivzo. By the way, it's
"touched" him, not "touch" him.

[pearlx2]

They didn't hush up little boys because something happened, Michael settled that one time to try to move on with his life without destroying it, as almost happened with the second accusation.

You don't love him and you don't know him if you believe he's guilty of such.

[BlueStateMensch]

The BOTTOM LINE, folks....

Why should the taxpayers City of Los Angeles... a city that is in DIRE trouble... cutting art & MUSIC in it's schools... cutting aid to the POOR.... laying off city workers....

WHY should we subsidize the BILLIONAIRE PROMOTERS of this MEDIA EVENT for a single DIME?

I'm looking for MORAL justification here....

[Tyrone Jones]

Moral Justification should come from the LAW MAKERS. Our voices are just conversations amongst each other. I encourage everyone to vote.

Better yet, sign up for PERMENANT absentee ballots and you never have to leave your home for your vote to count.

[BlueStateMensch]

Dang straight.. I've NEVER missed a vote in thirty years here.

[OldFreddie]

I seldom agree with you on your views, but on this one I am with you 100%. I fear behind the mask of grief for many of these people lies a motive of pure greed, so let the people who will profit from the MJ mania that this kind of public spectacle encourages pay for this, not the taxpayers of California who have no choice in the matter.

[BlueStateMensch]

COMMON GROUND!!

See.. it can work!

[johnnynyc]

How is any of that the Jackson's family fault?

I"m looking for MORAL justification for turning a memorial service into a political issue.

California has some of the stupidest, most venal politicians extant.

[BlueStateMensch]

Who blaming the Jacksons?

& WHY do they deserve more than ANY other private citizen?

Christ... you're even LOUSY at being OBTUSE.

[KafeSociety]

Oh for crissakes, of course not. Jackson was an entertainer, and probably a pedarast as well. Why are we memorializing him on the public's dime?

[wcgmilf]

Shoud the taxpayers pay for the police? Absolutely. Just like they pay for the police for, say... the circus.

And did anyone consider the enormous stimulus the L.A. economy is getting by this event? People are flying in from all over the world. Millions of dollars will be spent.

[BlueStateMensch]

We're talking about the EXTRA police... 2.5 MILLION dollars.

[ScoutandBuckGoodDogs]

The point isn't that people are flying in and therefore... sure the tax payers can foot the bill. The point is that taxpayers should NOT be paying for someone's funeral to the tune of 2.5 million dollars when they are cutting funding and can't their bills.

[marleysghost]

Nope.

[VOTER]

Republican Peter King should pick up the tab.

[forpeace]

VOTER
--------
How about Republican Arnold?
That's a better choice!

[TainoBoy]

Arnold should not be in the governor's mansion.

[compaqdrvr]

Yea - Rep King should pay for the King of Pop's service considering his inconsiderate, inaccurate accusations in light of the man's acquittal by a US court. Did King say he upheld the US Constitution?

[stavros]

No.