Licensing Street Performers: Another Example of Government Overreach

Just when you thought licensing hair braiders was the silliest example of government overreach you had ever seen, University City considers doing something sillier. Some in the City Council want to license street performers in the Delmar Loop.

The measure would treat street performers like peddlers and canvassers. Performers would be required to pay a licensing fee and obtain a permit.

Along with the attempt at licensing landlords, this measure is just one of the more recent examples of a government solution in search of a problem. As someone who works near the Delmar Loop and visits there often, I can assure you that street performers are not a nuisance.

Thankfully, a couple of city council members are also skeptical of the need to license street performers. Due to their questioning of provisions within the bill, action on this measure will be delayed until later in the month. The City Council should spend that time reflecting on whether licensing a few street performers is really something that University City should be doing.

Street performers make the Delmar Loop a more vibrant and exciting place to visit. University City should not make it harder for these people to practice their craft.