Reichman takes up high ticket prices, illegal aliens

STOPPING BOTS

Something I learned in freshman economics, but it’s probably as old as time, is supply and demand curve, and what that does to prices.  However, in this case, technology has not helped us, it has hindered the supply curve by hoarding, creating a high demand and artificial inflation.”

Jeff Reichman, Iowa State Senator

LEE COUNTY – A bill to limit bulk purchasing of online event tickets and a bill to tighten measures around illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the state are still viable in the state legislature.
Sen. Jeff Reichman introduced the bill that would limit “bots” from automatic online bulk ticket purchases in the state.
The Lee County senator said the ability for families to purchase tickets for sporting, music, and other high demand events should be more fairly administered and private groups buying up big blocks of tickets and selling them at elevated prices has to stop.
“When I was a young man growing up in southeast Iowa, all I wanted was my MTV.  I love music, but we were between two and four hours to see any concert,” Reichman wrote in an email to Pen City Current.  
“Computers, smart phone programs, and apps have changed our lives forever.  Most of these modern conveniences offer cost and time savings benefits.”  
But he said there should be lower cost alternatives to help families experience more entertainment and not have to pay the high prices of those who gobble up all the tickets and prey on supply and demand economics.
“AirBNB or VRBO offer us lower cost alternatives to hotels. Uber and Lyft offer savings and convenience over taxis.   Travelocity, Kayak, and many others help with trip planning, flights, and hotels at a cost reduction. Why not concerts and event venues?” he wrote.  
“Something I learned in freshman economics, but it’s probably as old as time, is supply and demand curve, and what that does to prices.  However, in this case, technology has not helped us, it has hindered the supply curve by hoarding, creating a high demand and artificial inflation.” 
Reichman said the Iowa Hawkeye women’s games were sold out in October, but he could find hundreds of tickets from $300 to $2,100. So he introduced Senate File 2322 to help combat that practice of “bots’ buying up tickets in bulk in Iowa.
The bill prohibits the use or creation of a bot to purchase more than eight tickets, or posted limit if less than eight, for any Internet ticket sales. It also prohibits using multiple protocol addresses or accounts, disabling electronic queues and waiting periods, and circumventing other security measures in place.
Fines under the proposed legislation max out at $10,000 per violation and injunctions against further activity.“Some people live to work, some people work to live.  Our jobs sustain us, but arts and entertainment help fulfill us,” Reichman said. “With this simple, short, but potentially very impactful legislation, my hope is that it keeps cost down, doesn’t price out event goers, and potentially opens up opportunities to a much broader group of Iowans.” 
The activity would be monitored and enforced by the Iowa Attorney General's office.
The other bill is a state Homeland Defense bill, Senate File 2340, which would subject illegal aliens that make entry or are found in Iowa to an aggravated misdemeanor charge if the person was denied admission, deported, or removed from the U.S., or if they have such an order outstanding. The bill also protects local law enforcement from enforcing the provisions of the bill.
Reichman is the bill's floor manager in the Senate.
“As a Marine Corps officer, I took an oath for 29 years to protect and defend our constitution, our laws, and our Flag.  As a senator, I took an oath.  What is unconstitutional is our Federal government refusing their duties. Our President took that same oath and He, along with the US Customs and Border Control Director, has FAILED," he said.