Hypocrisy runs amok in California once again as 66 state assemblymembers and senators reportedly received over $30,000 in tickets while working to “regulate” the ticket industry.

These politicians ostensibly accepted thousands of dollars worth of Taylor Swift concert tickets while ironically crafting legislation that would rein in Ticketmaster and other outlets.

“Ticketmaster’s troubled handling of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour prompted California lawmakers to spend months cracking down on the ticketing industry — while they enjoyed thousands of dollars worth of free tickets themselves from interest groups,” Politico reported.

“One assemblymember even appears to have accepted concert tickets to that very Swift tour, which prompted the effort to dismantle ticketing monopolies following backlash over Ticketmaster’s glitch-riddled sales rollout. She was later involved in legislative efforts to regulate the industry that ultimately stalled,” the media outlet pointed out.

SACRAMENTO, California — Ticketmaster’s troubled handling of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour prompted California lawmakers to spend months cracking down on the ticketing industry — while they enjoyed thousands of dollars worth of free tickets themselves from interest groups, a POLITICO…

— ARAISING Hell (@ARaisinghell4) August 5, 2024

Those involved purportedly got the tickets from several interest groups. It appears to be part of a pattern that shows lawmakers are receiving perks from the ticket industry which they claim they are 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,” Politico added.

“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,” the outlet wrote.

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan accepted tickets gifted to her by the San Francisco 49ers on the day that Swift’s Eras Tour performed at Levi’s Stadium. She reported the value of the tickets at $590. She did not say if they were for Taylor Swift’s concert.

A new POLITICO analysis of all 120 lawmakers’ financial disclosures, published this morning, found members of the Legislature accepted thousands of dollars worth of free tickets from interest groups last year, receiving complimentary access to concerts, sporting events, NASCAR…

— Mike Netter (@nettermike) August 5, 2024

Though it is legal for lawmakers to accept a certain amount of gifts in California (which it shouldn’t be), the act smacks of corruption. The maximum gift is a $5,500 campaign donation from an individual or business.

“The gifts came the same year some lawmakers mounted bids to loosen the power of the ticketing giant Ticketmaster and other elected officials sought to limit third-party resellers like StubHub. Some of the gifts lawmakers accepted in 2023 came from interest groups that had a stake in such legislation, and some lawmakers who received the tickets led new regulation efforts this year,” Politico continued.

“That includes Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Democrat, who introduced a bill this past April banning exclusive contracts between sellers and venues, hoping to deflate the power of Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation. That bill, which was backed by consumer groups and third-party resellers like StubHub, was ultimately held in Wicks’ own committee after she accepted extensive amendments,” the media outlet elaborated.

It’s not just California where this kind of thing takes place. It occurs across the nation and at all levels of government. These “gifts” from lobbyists are something that should be stopped because they can unethically influence lawmakers.

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