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STOP THE GOLF TAX IN CALIFORNIA - HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO
Story and links
Jan 15, 2009
The tax is inequitable
The tax could cost jobs
The tax could impact youth programs and city parks programs, along with middle class and senior golfers
As most of you know, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed adding a tax on golf as part of his solution to solve the California financial crisis.
Although we all recognize that the budget crisis has to be solved and quickly, the SCGA and other golf organizations are marshaling support against the golf tax proposal because we believe it is inequitable and, because it has not been thoroughly considered, could end up causing real financial harm, causing more damage than the revenue it generates.
Among other issues:
Golf, alone among other recreational activities, is being singled out for the tax.
No tax has been proposed on skiing, for example (that's no accident, considering that the Governor skis but doesn't play golf). Taxing one segment of one industry is inequitable.
The golf tax is based on a myth, that golf is a sport played by rich people.
While many wealthy people do play golf, the facts are that the vast majority of the state's golfers play at public, not private, courses. The weekend municipal course players, seniors on fixed incomes, and youth golfers participating in programs like the SCGA Foundation's Youth on Course would be particularly hard hit by the proposed tax.
The tax could impact many programs not related to golf, including municipal parks and recreational facilities.
In many cities and counties, revenues from municipal golf courses are critical to maintaining parks and recreational programs, mostly for kids. Already facing cutbacks in the current economic downturn, these programs cannot afford the further hit of decreased golf revenue, caused by reduced play due to the tax.
The tax comes at a time when the golf industry is struggling.
Many California golf courses have been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn. Levying a tax on playing golf that in some counties could be more than 10 percent could wreak significant harm, slashing golf-related jobs and affiliated hotel/restaurant/landscape jobs. It could even lead to shutting down some courses already operating on extremely slim margins.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you know your Assembly representative or State Senator personally and would be willing to make it possible for someone from the SCGA to talk to him or her regarding this matter, please email Bthomas
scga.org. Please provide your name and contact information and the representative or senator you know.
Go to a new web site -- www.forecalifornia.com -- and learn about why the SCGA, other golf organizations and golfers are opposing the tax as it has been presented.
Sign up on that site to receive more information in the coming weeks.
Encourage your golfing friends and fellow club members to log onto the site and get involved.
Download the FLYER on the site. Post it in your locker room and golf shop and distribute it to your friends and club members.
Make a contribution. This kind of battle isn't cheap. Download this FORM and send it back with a check. We expect you to be able to make credit card donations by next week.
Read Bob's Blog HERE for more thoughts on the proposed tax. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Next week, we'll distribute information on how you can contact your Assembly Representative and Senator to send a message about the tax.
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