Seeing a movie or band might get a little more expensive.
An idea being considered at the Capitol could raise ticket prices for movies, concerts and sporting events, if enacted.
The "luxury tax" would raise ticket prices by 6 percent.
For example, a $10 ticket would cost $10.60.
The ticket tax would be imposed on events such as major and minor league baseball games, hockey games, auto races, football games and theatrical performances.
The Lansing Lugnuts, for example, would be affected if the ticket tax was put in place.
"It's definitely not beneficial for the Lugnuts or the fans because we try to keep our ticket prices low and an increase certainly doesn't help to do that," said Patrick Day, general manager for the Lugnuts.
"I don't think it will affect attendance, per se, but I don't think it will be good for the fans at all."
The tax would not be levied on university games or performances.
Although a luxury tax could affect the price of other activities, it has drawn the attention of organizations such as Fans Against the Ticket Tax, a group created to spread knowledge about the potential tax.
"We want to inform fans that the ticket tax is pending," said Tom Shields, spokesman for Olympia Entertainment, which operates venues in Detroit such as Cobo Hall, Joe Louis Arena and Comerica Park. "We want to educate folks and give everyone the opportunity to voice their opinion."
The potential tax could generate about $100 million in state revenue if enacted, Shields said.
In order to reach taxpayers, the group created www.notickettax.com, a Web site that allows people to contact Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Lt. Gov. John Cherry, as well as links for people to locate their state legislators.
The group also has spread word through blogs and a MySpace.com page, Shields said.
This will hopefully reach college students, whom Shields said the tax could affect the most.
"This would tax college students, who attend more shows and movies than the average taxpayer," he said. "Half of the $100 million will come from concerts and shows, and a large percentage of that will come from college-age people."
Some college students are not necessarily against the idea of the tax.
"Well, (Michigan) needs the money, I can understand that," said Jon Vereecke, an English and professional writing junior. "I wouldn't be that upset if it were enforced."
Furthermore, Vereecke said the tax would not overburden students but rather place a tax where it could benefit Michigan the most.
"I think it's smart," he said. "If you want to make money, hit 'em where they're going, not just arbitrary things that you think only rich people are going to. It's smart and therefore fair."
Others said the tax would affect their recreational habits, such as going to the movies.
"They're already kind of expensive," said Leigh Higgins, an animal science and preveterinary senior. "I'd still go, but I'd go less."
The tax still is little more than an idea being informally discussed in the Capitol and is nowhere near being proposed legislation, said Liz Boyd, Granholm's spokeswoman.
Although she wouldn't comment on the idea of a luxury tax before Granholm was presented with a piece of legislation, she stressed the importance of generating new revenue to combat the state's $1.5 billion deficit.
"We need a comprehensive solution to our budget crisis, and that has to come from new revenue," she said.
