Rich to get richer: Jersey's 'Britney Bill' moves one step closer to passing

IN ANOTHER case at the intersection of economics and politics, a measure dubbed the "Britney bill" is a step closer to becoming law.

What is the so-called "Britney bill"? It's a bill that would exempt stars who play at least four nights in Atlantic City from having to pay state income taxes on all shows in New Jersey that year, and the bill got its name because it encourages the sort of multinight engagements that Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Motley Crue and other artists have done in Las Vegas.

Well, the "Britney bill" is certainly a better name than the "Motley bill" - although Tattle isn't convinced this isn't a motley bill.

The measure is the latest of many efforts to help struggling A.C., although there's no real evidence that the seaside resort could support an extended stay even if performers were willing to sign up for one.

The other troubling part of the bill is that with income inequality being a much-talked about issue now, is it really fair to give a wealthy celebrity a break on income taxes while the hotel clerks, box-office salespeople and cocktail waitresses have to pay?

Obviously, no one asked us, but the bill was approved yesterday by a state Senate committee. It was sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Democrat James Whelan.

"There is tremendous value in the ability to consistently draw world-class entertainment here, especially considering widely successful A-lister residencies in Las Vegas, where there's no state income tax," Kean said. "The more than 50,000 fans who paid to see A-list performer Maroon 5 in August gives a glimpse of how Atlantic City can transform into a premier entertainment destination, drawing tourists from the most densely populated Northeast Corridor, two of America's largest cities that are each less than two hours away, and from around the world via nearby international airports."

(Terrible example: Maroon 5 is an arena/stadium act and performers take residencies in Las Vegas for numerous other reasons besides no state income tax.)

The bill would exempt artists from state taxes not only on their A.C. performance but also on shows at other New Jersey venues, including arenas in Camden, Trenton, Holmdel and Newark.

Just who is an A-lister - and thus qualifies for the tax breaks - may require a delicate touch. New Jersey's secretary of state would set qualifications for the benefit - taking into account music and ticket sales along with awards the performer has won.

That seems fraught with problems. Besides, who but an A-lister is popular enough to book multiple nights? But, if folks were concerned about political death panels when it came to health care, who's going to tolerate political death panels when it comes to entertainment careers?

"Sorry, Performer X, the state of New Jersey no longer sees you as an A-list performer, you will not be exempt from income tax."

Yeah, that'll go over well.

"If Katy Perry, who made $135 million last year, played four times in Atlantic City and also did a two-week run of 10 shows at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey would free her from paying state income taxes on any of the 14 concerts," New Jersey Policy Perspective president Gordon MacInnes said. "Wealthy entertainers don't pick concert venues for their tax rates; they go where they will find an audience. If entertainers want to 'Do AC,' New Jersey should tax them and use the revenue for important resources to actually build the state economy, like good schools and efficient transportation networks."

What he said.

* An off-Broadway musical celebrating the little-known songwriter Bert Berns ("Twist and Shout," "I Want Candy," "Brown Eyed Girl," "Under the Boardwalk," "Hang on Sloopy") has gotten some help from some serious musicians - Steven Van Zandt and Paul Shaffer.

The E Street Band member and the former musical director of David Letterman's show have signed on to produce the jukebox musical "Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story," aiming for Broadway next year under the direction/choreography of Denis Jones. The new producing team also includes Joe Grano, a producer of the Tony Award-winning musical "Jersey Boys," and Maureen Van Zandt, Steven's wife, who is co-artistic director of Renegade Theatre Company and who brought her husband to the off-Broadway production.

Berns died of heart failure in 1967. He was 38.

E! Online reports that Cosmopolitan is taking mounds of deserved guff for labeling a picture of the six Kardashian-Jenner women "America's First Family.

Weighing in via Twitter were South Philly style mavens Tom & Lorenzo (@tomandlorenzo), who wrote: "I find that silly and offensive. I think we should be proud of the REAL First Family we have right now not them. L"

Maybe if it said "America's Worst Family."

* E! also reported that Kylie Jenner is showing off her new $320,000 white Rolls Royce Ghost, now that it's been delivered. Because if there's one thing a party-loving, 18-year-old (with Kardashian-Jenner driving genes) needs in Los Angeles, it's a paparazzi-magnet of a car.

* Lastly, a quote from Kim Kardashian in People:

"I'm gonna keep it real: For me, pregnancy is the worst experience of my life! LOL . . . I don't enjoy one moment of it and I don't understand people who enjoy it."

That second sentence is the same thing we say every day when we ponder Kardashian fame.

- Daily News wire services contributed to this report.