Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
News
|
||||
|
The Southern California Golf Association and allied golf associations around the state of California will join forces in a concerted effort to oppose Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed tax on golf fees as part of his proposal to deal with the state’s budget crisis. The California Alliance for Golf, working with their lobbying and public relations consultants in Sacramento, is preparing a plan to combat this effort. CAG will begin conversations with as many key individuals as possible to oppose this proposal. In addition, the SCGA and allied associations will use e-mail and other avenues to encourage their members over the next few days to participate in a “NO TAX on GOLF” campaign. “While we all recognize the precarious nature of the state’s financial condition,” said SCGA President Kent Keller, “we believe that to single out golf as one of a very few proposed services that would be taxed is both short-sighted and nonproductive for the state’s economic health overall. Moreover, such a tax would almost surely do irreparable harm to the golf industry. “The people who would be most affected would be lower-income and middle-income people, many of whom stand to lose their jobs if golf courses close or cut back significantly due to this proposed tax,” said Keller. According to the independent research firm SRI International, golfers, golf courses, equipment suppliers, and the activities they support pumped $6.9 billion into the state’s economy in 2006. Golf course facility operations were the largest revenue component of California’s golf industry at $2.85 billion, which includes greens fees, range fees, membership fees, golf cart rentals and food and beverages. When indirect impacts are included — such as the goods and services purchased by golf courses and by golf employees — the total direct and indirect economic impact of the golf industry in California is estimated at $15.1 billion. Golf and golfers in California also play a significant role for charities, annually raising tens of millions of dollars for thousands of charitable organizations. Golf also supports organizations that provide important life skills and other educational programs for youth through The First Tee, the SCGA Foundation’s Youth on Course and many other efforts. “We need to do everything we can not to put impediments on people and clubs that contribute significantly to these efforts,” said Keller. ALSO SEE: Why the California golf tax would do more harm than good |
||||
RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
I think that the steroids have not only made the governor's muscles and head bigger, but his brain smaller. Whats next, Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football ?
| Comment at 12/4/2008 |
This would be the most ridiculos action taken by a state, ever. I think the Governor should impose a new tax known as the incompetency tax. It should be at a rate of 10 percent of the gross wages of every politician in the state per day of sitting around trying to find ways to raise taxes for even bigger spending rather than cutting the size of Govt, thereby reducing spending and the need for additional taxes. Just how much tax money is generated by golf now and would probably just go away as people such as myself have to quit playing the sport I love because of the cost (more taxes). When are we going to wise up and elect people that have sense instead of want cents.
| Comment at 2/3/2009 |
Why single out golf ? Why not also impose a tax on surfing, beach volley ball, tennis, sailing, jet skiing, cycling, etc.. What are the legal issues surrounding the ability to single out golf ?
| Comment at 2/3/2009 |
The tax is discriminatory
| Comment at 2/3/2009 |
I wonder if his honor has ever heeard of the domino effect---add on the taxes that people cannot afford---drive the golf manufacturers out of CA because noone in CA is buying their product because of the added cost (taxes)---brilliant thinking---but then, no one ever complimented his brilliance!
| Comment at 2/3/2009 |
If the objective is to discourage people from playing golf this is a great way to do it. The cost of playing golf is already driving players away.
| Comment at 2/4/2009 |
The Govenator is a snow skier--do you think that's why he's not proposing a tax on lift tickets? Hmmmmmm...
| Comment at 2/4/2009 |
that is bs. we should recall arnold schwarzenegger as governor. he did it with gray davis. why not him also. if the taxes goes through, i will definitely be golfing 1 a month instead of 1 a week.
| Comment at 2/19/2009 |
