Cavalier in independent venue group seeking government help after COVID

Rep. Ron Kind seeks tweak in tax code to provide assistance

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — The Cavalier Theater and Lounge in La Crosse is hoping that U.S. Rep. Ron Kind will help the National Independent Venue Association’s quest for a federal bailout after losses during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“This is something we wanted to share we are feeling a little hometown pride about,” said Jason LaCourse, who owns the Cavalier, at 114 Fifth Ave N.
“We are a member of the newly formed NIVA – National Independent Venue Association who are collectively lobbying the government for a bailout to save the nationwide independent concert industry from economic collapse,” LaCourse says in a posting on the Cavalier’s Facebook page.
“Our very own Congressman Ron Kind, whose office is just two blocks up the street from us and whose staffers have darkened our doorstep numerous times (one of them even got married here on our stage) has taken up the lead to propose legislation that helps our cause,” LaCourse writes.
“There has been bi-partisan support to help us out, so apparently live music is one of the few things left out there that Republicans and Democrats can still agree on,” he writes.
LaCourse quotes an ABC News article last week that quoted Kind as saying, “We have something in action right now we’re putting in legislative form and discussing with congressional leadership.
Kind proposes rewriting language in the federal tax code to make independent music venue ticket refunds eligible for disaster loss during a federally declared emergency, such as the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“That would be a fully refundable tax credit, and I think it would go a long way in helping independent venues across the country,” Kind said.
Many NIVA members fear they won’t be able to reopen because of COVID-19, LaCourse says.

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