California Alliance for Golf

Comments

Chuck Poindexter

Every golfer in SoCal, whether you belong to a golf club and even if you are a member of an affiliate club should sign up and fight this unfair tax. Being the president of an SCGA Affiliate Golf Club, I can see where this will become a trickle down effect on more than just the golfers themselves.

January 15, 2009, 4:12 PM

Alejandro Vargas

What else, now? tax for going to movies, restaurants, parks to play with our kids?

This is not acceptable, we need to let the politicians know that if they want to tax to play golf, we must tax them to use a chair in the Congress, Representatives, and any other politic representation. Next: DON'T BREATH, DON'T GO TO THE BEACH, DON'T EVEN SEE THE OCEAN, BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY A TAX!!!!!!!!

This is crazy!

January 15, 2009, 11:30 PM

Steve Smith

Why are we being taxed because California and State Government can't learn to budget money and spend it correctly, we have to do that everyday. We are about taxed out already on our paychecks. We work, play golf and watch tv and try to keep our heads above water now. This is an very unfair tax again and just the beginning if they get away with it. STOP the tax!!!!

January 16, 2009, 9:16 AM

Ding Kalis

The income tax started as a temporary tax. Have you noticed that taxes are never temporary, never get lower, and never go away? Stop this one before it starts.

January 16, 2009, 12:13 PM

Steve Quigley

This is a proposal that will be self defeating. Golf numbers are already trending down. This will not help because as the price goes up I and other will play less golf. I already only play when their are discounts avail.

This will return us to the era of this not being a national past time but to a time where game was for only the country club set, like the Arnold's of the world.

Tax roads, mileage used on road ways if you really want a fiscal impact.

Arnold needs to keep a basic course in simple economics.

Steve

January 16, 2009, 12:22 PM

Tony Gaimari

This is an outrage. Let's put up some links to politicians so we send emails directly from this site letting them know how we feel!

January 16, 2009, 12:39 PM

Jeff Carlisle

This is crazy. Our economy is bad enough and we all know it. Hard working people have to save to go play golf and if you now add another $ 10 - 20 bucks to that fee it will for sure hurt the golf industry in California. This tax will force the golf courses to charge more for green fees because they are not getting the play they got before the extra fees started.

Simply said Californians can put there hard earned (highly taxed) money to better use. This is recreational taxes aimed solely at the golfers. what next toilet paper taxes? I would not mind paying a couple extra points per round. But let the other recreational industries take some of the hit as well.How about a 2% tax across the board for state park fees, bowling, golf, baseball, softball, soccer leagues?

What happened to all the money the lottery was supposed to give the state? Where is that being used?

January 16, 2009, 12:54 PM

Jeff Carlisle

Tony is correct. This site needs to post links to our local/ state officials so we can bombard them with e-mails of our dislike for this proposal.

January 16, 2009, 1:00 PM

Robert P Brown

I have two sons playing on the SCPGA Junior tour. I have a daughter that might soon start playing golf too.

It is VERY expensive at current prices to pay for all the practice balls, lessons, travel etc necessary to compete.

Adding a tax will make it impossible for some junior golfers to participate due to the increased costs.

STOP the TAX !!!!

January 16, 2009, 1:00 PM

Wendi Beane

To start taxing on random things like golf and vet visits is ridiculous and desparate. I think California can come up with other ways to raise money for the state in a fair way.(no pun intended)

January 16, 2009, 2:11 PM

I.M. Leisureman

Thank you to American Golf and the SCGA for bringing this to my attention. I agree with many of these posts that golf is expensive already. Golf is not tobacco. Golf is not alcohol. Specifically on the public course level, it is a sport not a luxury. It is no longer the elitist game it once was. Is the state trying to make it that again? Or do they not understand what golf is, by thinking its a game for only the rich with plenty of time on their hands and extra income to spend. Taxation of golf would be unfair, unconstitutional, and is unacceptible.

January 16, 2009, 2:18 PM

Mike

We really appreciate all the work that has gone into the development of this site. It would be great if there was a link that listed the State Representative and Officials in Sacramento that should be receiving our feedback to stop this tax. Especially those elected officials that are backing and supporting this outrageous policy. Golfers through out the state need to know who is supporting this and how to contact them.

January 16, 2009, 2:19 PM

pat

I'm sorry, but this state is in a huge hurt. Services to the extremely poor, including medical care and food supplements are being cut or withheld entirely. Education funding is being slashed. Personally, I'm willing to pay an extra $5 or so per game to help pay for programs that we so desparately need.

January 16, 2009, 3:15 PM

Steve

Amen, Pat. I'm with you. The state is in a jam not because of bloat or ignorance (although there is plenty of that) but because of a plummeting tax base. Us golfers can more likely afford to pitch (pun intended) in. Fair? Maybe not. But lets not whine too much about fairness to disguise our own self interest.

January 16, 2009, 3:30 PM

Bruce Caudle

Terminate the terminator !

Get rid of the VIRIUS named Arnold.

TAX & Spend - is that all politicians know ?

W T F !

Stop the insanity.

In this economy the government should be cutting the fat to operate on less like the rest of us, NOT adding taxes so they may continue with their wastefull ways.

January 16, 2009, 3:42 PM

Felix

Yes, the State's budget is in a world of hurt, but singling out all things golf (and sporting events and amusement parks,...) is blatantly unfair and disproportionate. If the whole State is in trouble, shouldn't the whole State bear the burden of corrective action? Nobody wants to pay more taxes, but that's what it's going to take with the economy the way it is. Picking on golfers is... unpatriotic! http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/The-Devil-Ball-twosome-a-Q-amp-A-with-David-Feh;_ylt=At5m4SbZ76kKB0mg9weOsYsogsUF?urn=golf,134629

January 16, 2009, 4:22 PM

David Tiffany

Pat and Steve, please don't buy into the idea that more taxes are going to solve California's problems. We are already paying some of the highest, if not the highest taxes in the country. Sure, I could scrape up a few extra dollars for golf if I had to, and I'd do it gladly if I thought it would really help, but IT WON'T. The legislators ARE IRRESPONSIBLE, and they are NOT held accountable. Give them more money and they will waste it and ask for MORE! They've done it year, after year, after year. Pat and Steve, you have to see that. Arnold tried to fix the process early on with the reforms proposed in the special election. He lost, and he gave up. It's not the economic slump that has caused this crisis. If government had acted with fiscal responsibility we would be weathering this storm instead of sinking. Throwing more money at the problem is like bailing on the Titanic. No, we have to say NO MORE! Get in the lifeboat and put the blame where it belongs, at those who steered this course.

January 16, 2009, 4:31 PM

Rob Weeks

Pat and Steve: If you want to contribute, write a donation check. Many golfers can afford the extra money, but many cannot. If you want to get more money from those who can afford it, raise the tax on luxury items, or increase the income tax on the higher tax brackets. Don't blindly tax all golfers on the theory they can afford it.

And the government did screw up - royally! They committed to future spending levels based upon the assumption the economy would perpetually increase, despite history telling them the market would correct itself. I agree, we all have to feel the pinch a little now, but discriminatorially asking one group to pay more is not fair.

January 16, 2009, 4:48 PM

Henry Schwartz

If they are going to tax golf, they should tax all country club memberships dues, carts, lessons and other expenditures.

The state has numerous expenses they can cut, but need to outside audits to determine what to cut, elimiinate entire departments and projects.

Take a hard look at all the annunites.

January 16, 2009, 4:53 PM

Mike

Pat,

Besides going into the philosophical discussion on why you think you can take $5 from me becomes someone else "needs" it- Would it not be better if you voluntarily wrote a check for $5 everytime YOU play golf - directly- for education in California or gave $5 dollars to the poor person or bought them dinner? Your confident enough with the State of California that your golf tax money is going to supply the needy or improve the education of students in the state? Wasn't the lottery funds suppose to partially/fully support the education needs of students in our state? What happened there? You should go into politics - you've got the same philosophy as them - "hand out money to the people that "need" it, by taking it from people who have it.

January 16, 2009, 5:21 PM

David

Pat or Steve obviously don't live in my world. My business puts me front and center with all the so-called social programs. There is untold fraud and abuse. Women having baby's just to get a check while their children dress in rags and do not receive proper nutrition and don't get me started on the disability fraud. Police these institutions and see what revenues result. Everyone wants a piece of Cali but hard working recreational golfers shouldn't bail out the greedy or the lazy. I say no to a welfare state!

January 16, 2009, 5:36 PM

Michael St. Hilaire

This is insanely stupid and could kick the already ailing golf industry.

It already costs $100+ at most courses around here to play now you are going to tack on a tax?

The government needs to cut back like every other hard working person in this state.

January 16, 2009, 7:04 PM

Gary

Hey, People wanted change and they are getting it! It is called Divide and Conquer.. This is what they have done for years. For some reason people today cannot see a picture larger than what is in their immediate circle and even then they cannot understand what it is that is in front of them..With just the people who do not play and enjoy Golf there exist enough signatures to pass such an idiotic bill.The largest drwa for Tourism in the State of California is the water and Skiing. You think they will start Taxing Surfing.. Boogie Boarding or even snorkeling? Not a chance!, even though the State Tax payers pay millions to maintain the Beaches and the water quality of the Ocean..I can see it now in front of Grocery stores and Malls all over California with small card tables set-up with volunteers. The volunteer will walk up to you with a clip board in hand and the first question out of their mouth will be.."Do you play Golf ?" They don't want to talk to those who play and enjoy the recreation of golf they want people who do not play golf. Just thank a Liberal. They want to call themselves free thinkers and their not.. your a free thinker as long as you think like they do!

Someone said no to a Welfare State? well welcome aboard they are about to take taxes generated from millions of people who make minimum wages to only give it to people who make a minimum of $73.00 an hour and in most cases more!

January 16, 2009, 7:30 PM

Sharon

Seems like all our elected officials like to find new, untapped areas that haven't been taxed, then they go for the jugular. They spend our tax dollars like a bunch of hungry piranah, then run out of money, and tax us some more. It's become a tax feeding frenzy.

January 16, 2009, 9:34 PM

Mike

Face it, the Liberal Democrats are running this state into the ground. When there was a balance of power, there were surpluses. One party rule does not work. The top 5% of earners pay 80% of the taxes in this state. 40% of the population pay no income taxes at all. How f'd up is that? Just say no to these clowns. Vote Conservative, Libertarian or Independent!

Cheers,

Mike

January 17, 2009, 12:02 AM

Gary

I keep seeing Crazy being written. Well to me what is crazy is that it seems that many people do not seem to understand that that so called tax money that the government has is YOUR money! It's my money! It isn't theirs.....You see and talk to people who are so excited or are waiting with baited breath for that Tax refund to arrive in the mail box. the heck with that! That is My Money they kept all year and I received not a single cent of interest for it. The Government and Politicians make it sounds as if somehow they are doing you a favor by giving you a refund. Well how can it be said any simpler. It is my money not theirs. The Lady is correct there has never been a temporary tax.. but time after time we all go to the voting polls and vote it in. We now have two people running our country who though have pretty good educations have never held a job in the public realm that required that they be accountable and profitable..We have two guys sending people to combat who have never served a day in their lives and haven't a clue of what it is like to receive that envelope and upon opening it realizing that you are required to place everything on the line. There is so much more to this but those of you out there who have had to serve know exactly what I am saying. Yet our generations are getting weaker and weaker and society seems to be suffering from some sort of dumbing down effect.

Look around people they are starting to Tax or increase revenue everywhere. Parking at the beach has gone up the past two months. Talk to officers, there is pressure to write the "required" amount of citations because after all that is what people do.."Break the law" what other explanation can be made? There is a police force hired and maintained. The person who mentioned the State Lottery is correct! How soon we all forget! That Lottery was voted in to save the States Educational system and this included the Universities..Bull...never happened and I for one have NEVER purchased a lottery ticket. It was a lie then and still is. Besides why make one person 100 million dollars richer. We would be a better people and a better place to be if we made 100 people each a Millionaire. But back to discussingTaxes you would soon learn that the person winning a million pays close to 50% in taxes!!! another joke.

What we all really get upset about is the fact that there is TAXATION WITHOUT FAIR REPRESENTATION. The bottom line is I feel that this Tax question would disappear if we would go to an entirely Consumer use tax and that would be the end of it. All this other Tax should go away! Inheritance tax (destroys families and homes) Windfall profit Tax what a bunch of crap! Luxury tax..more crap.. I earned it and I should be able to spend it in any manner I want...Now I hear they are going to add another $1000 of Tax for home each 1000 square ft. of you home if it exceeds 5000 square feet..

I have to stop! This is about an additional TAX on you playing Golf! If we were a different kind of people and not headed in the same direction as all great Nations and Empires that preceeded us, this subject would have never come up..pathetic, we cannot even learn from history (though it is required to graduate from HS) another joke.

January 17, 2009, 4:02 AM

Gary

Final thought on this for me.. Some Liberal will justify this additional tax by claiming it as some sort of Environmental friendly Tax because Golfers are polluting the environment by hooking and slicing golf balls into the woods and ponds of our great State of California creating a neccessity for a Hazardous Material recovery Tax. mark my words.. someone will use it. or they will spend millions of our Tax money on some Focus group committee studying the probability that this may be true! but at least it will take at least two years for this Focus group to milk it as long as they can which means this dumb Golf Tax might take place in 2011..just trying to stay positive here..

January 17, 2009, 4:16 AM

Daniel Shaw

I will say this plain robbery its not even funny. Because they can not mange our tax money they come up with new ways to rape us. I have already sent the CA polititiotns that they no loger represent me as I represent myself as a US citizen. Just because they pass ti does not me we have to listen. It is our right as US citizens to form a "Tea Party" when our elected officials do not listen to us. They are merrily a sounding board for us the people. And their duty is to follow the majority voice of the people.

I started playing 3.5 years ago and came to CA to hopefully play somehow professionally when I started 8 months later I was an 8 and now I'm a 5 and I play CA because I can play year round and I do not have a lot of money just getting by. If this goes through I will probably look at moving out of CA to different warm state. Daniel P. Shaw

January 17, 2009, 10:14 AM

But for the Spending

Didn't the Legislature in Sac just give itself a big raise? How fast have the public sector payrolls risen in the years since Pete Wilson?

So let me get this straight: they're not going to give me my tax refund (which is *my* money that I loaned to them interest-free), but they're going to tax one of the few nice things left to do in California?

California is the biggest tax-and-spend mess in a nation of tax and spend messes.

And I thought he was a Republican governor. That's obviously a lie. Republican politicians at the state level are supposed to be about one thing: REDUCING spending, and REDUCING the size and scope of government.

He failed at the one thing a Republican is supposed to do.

January 17, 2009, 11:31 AM

G.E., Mountain View

While the Federal Government talks about providing us ordinary citizens with a tax breaks to get us out of this economic mess, the CA government wants to pick our pockets. And raise tolls across bay area bridges. The body blows never stop.

January 17, 2009, 11:32 AM

John

A golf tax is ludicrous. The number of people playing has reduced significantly over the past 9-12 months except at lower end or places offering discounts. These politicians should have gotten a brain much earlier and instituted a VAT on everything other than basic necessities. That would be more equitable if the feeling is that taxes need to be increased. A novel idea would be to decrease government spending and slow down the influx of illegal immigrants. How about we stop them all at the border and give them a tax id that just requires the employer to withhold income taxes but doesn't require SS. A minimal increase in pretax costs to the employer and more revenue to the state and feds.

Wake up government, I have only so much I will let you take before I leave and come back and work as an alien and not pay taxes.

January 17, 2009, 12:40 PM

Randy

I agree. I am also a golfer, although a very bad one, and there should not be a tax on golf. However, how many of you know that they are also proposing a tax on veterinary care? If I could prevent this tax, I would gladly pay the golf tax. There are too many abandoned pets, especially with the bad economy, and if veterinary care is taxed, the shelters will be even more overcrowded. Animals will die in larger numbers. How many of you have pets. Stopping this tax, is more important to me than golf.

January 17, 2009, 1:26 PM

Terry

If they are going to tax golf, they should tax every form of sport and entertainment where fees are charged and/or lessons are paid for. To single one sport out is patently unfair. Not every golfer is wealthy and those who are are probably paying heavily into the state's tax coffers already.

Legislators need to cut back on spending and stop thinking of tax dollars as their private fund for their favorite causes or special interests (i.e. campaign donors). For instance, why is it that private sector workers take pay cuts but not public employees in times of financial crisis? Perhaps there should be a requirement that all legislators work in the private sector for at least 10 years before being eligible for public office. They could have real term limits so they can't play musical (public) offices, but have to work in the private sector for another 10 years before re-entering the public arena so they have some personal financial stake in the decisions they make.

January 17, 2009, 1:46 PM

Think4yourself

To others who think like Pat - ask yourself where does it stop? What is next - a breathing tax? Will they tax tennis courts? How about little league soccer and baseball? How about a tax for using the beach? How about a bike tax for cyclists?

Wake up Pat and stop assuming government knows what is right and just - because they don't and never will.

Sacramento has succeeded in one thing - ruining California. The only ones left will be the takers, and eventually all the producers will leave for somewhere else.

January 17, 2009, 5:08 PM

FRAN

Arnold,

Give up on the golf tax. We are taxed getting to the course(fuel,vehicle registration) We are taxed at the course (merchandise if we have any disposable income left after our taxes).

What the state of California would save in revenue with a part-time legislature would eliminate the need for this ridicoulous new tax and a host of others. You dudes at the capitol need to "cowboy up" and figure out how to spend what you have, not what you dont have. NO NEW TAXES-JUST LESS SPENDING. Whats so hard to implement about that?

January 17, 2009, 9:08 PM

everton

what is happening to the "california dream"? used to be that everyone wanted to live in california, now there has been a mass exodus over the past year, with nearly 200,000 people leaving for other states. if this behavior continues by our governement than i'm afraid this trend will continue. our state is the 8th largest economy in the WORLD! so it really amazes me that our state governement has allowed it's self to be in such a dire situation!

colorado looks pretty nice right now!

January 18, 2009, 1:18 PM

Mike McManus

Let's look at the numbers. There are roughly 75 cities in the state that have at least 1 golf course. Let's say that the average number of rounds is $100 per day (a twosome every 8 minutes for 7 hours). We'll put the average price of a round at 60 dollars and the number of days a year the course is open at 350. The numbers we end up with are 45,000 rounds a day, which amounts to $270,000 in tax revenue (10% of $60 for 45,000 rounds) and totals over $85 billion dollars ($85,500,000) per year in tax revenue. That's a whole lot of money going from the private to the public sector. Not to mention that the rounds per day is conservative, as is the average corst of a round (with cart and range balls, which would also be taxed). The increase in revenue could be substantially higher. Add to that the price on all of the alcohol that is consumed after each round of golf and it looks like Arnold (the democrat who ran as a republican) expects golfers to fund more than half of his $145 billion budget. When Arnaold says "I'll be back" these days, he means for more of your money.

January 19, 2009, 8:02 AM

Char

Let our California officails reach into their own pockets and give back some of those high saleries they gave themselves. This is just stupid, all it's going to do is stop a lot of golfers from playing golf. It's already an expensive sport, with the way the economy is now, there are only a few pleasures one can afford, this tax will illimiate golf for so many.

This an unfair tax and I would like to know why the government for the people by the people never get to vote on things that affect the people. They just get to impose a tax whenever they like?????

January 19, 2009, 3:52 PM

Carl

Hey Mike McManus, I'm having trouble following your numbers. The math goes something like this....I think.

75 courses X 100 rounds/course X $60/round X 350 golf days X 10% tax rate = $15.75 million tax revenue. Regardless, I don't think we should be concerned about the actual number because if we start arguing how much it should be we are giving in that there is some level of tax that might be acceptable.....and there is not. There is no acceptable level of tax for outdoor recreation activities. What's next, taxing sunshine.

January 19, 2009, 4:41 PM

flembot

This tax is not justified. They are already collecting tax from the golf businesses(courses, shops, caddies and the rest of the golf economy.) Therefore some of the tax may already be built into the prices. Think about the thousands of rounds golf people will not play, and these businesses will obviously pay less tax and if this gets worse, they will go out of business therefore no $$ for California. I will consider moving out of the state if this really becomes reality.

January 19, 2009, 9:17 PM

Len

The folks that should really be getting behind opposition to this boondoggle of a new tax are golf course operators. They need to hear from us golfers in very plain terms that we will not be booking as many tee times if this tax is implemented. It's a tough situation for the golf course operators because their livelihood is dependent upon us booking tee times and many of us are very friendly with the starters at our favorite courses and don't wish to appear hostile in any way. But they need to know how we feel about this. It should be mentioned each and every time we book tee times. The golf industry associations and golf manufacturers need to get on board in opposition to this ridiculous new tax. This is a very discriminatory non-progressive tax focusing on the relatively few people that enjoy golf. I wonder what the support would be for taxing participation in inner-city basketball leagues, softball, or soccer programs? Or are golfers perceived as having "too much" disposable income and too polite to make much of a stink about it? We can and should let our feelings be known in a polite but firm way and let golf course operators and equipment manufactures understand they are the ones that will suffer if this new tax is implemented.

January 19, 2009, 9:42 PM

William L. FIscher II

This tax is another way to pay for the rich. Call it WELFARE FOR THE RICH. Just like the bail out. These so-called appointed public servants are robbing us everyday. I do not care if they can't pay for their swimming pool if we do not help them out. They need to learn to budget their own personal finanaces in lieu of depending on us to help them out. I guess shame on us for letting it go this long.

January 20, 2009, 11:50 AM

Wayne Veatch

I'm against a tax singling out golf, but such a "recreation tax" may be reasonable if it is not excessive and is levied on all recreational activities, including tickets to sporting events. I don't see on the site details of the proposal or how we can contact those responsible for passing this taxation legislation.

January 20, 2009, 12:16 PM

Glynn Shaw

I am against raising taxes for any purpose. California must stop spending NOW. We will soon be in a worldwide depression that will be aggravated by more taxation.

Don't be fooled. More tax is a roadmap to disaster.

January 21, 2009, 1:48 PM

Cathy

Our lawmakers are out of control. Just because they don't know how to make up a budget doesn't mean they have to look to the taxpayers, once again, to bail them out of their lavish & repetitive mistakes. Why don't they lessen their salaries & all the perks they get?! Why don't they all turn in their government cars & buy their own? And now we find out that the head of the IRS hasn't paid income taxes for a few years & doesn't even get his hands slapped because it's an "honest mistake". If we didn't pay our taxes, we'd be in jail! What happened to the lottery - where is THAT money going? We're already taxed to death - stop this additional one!

January 21, 2009, 3:23 PM

Gary Miller

Instead of taxing a single group of people that play a sport, there should be a broader lower tax for all sports...if that is what our government chooses. I get irked when I see the money our state pays to keep state parks open. Let the people that use them pay a usage fee!

The vehicle license fee should be resinstated. It should NEVER have been repealed.

Fix Prop 13 as Warren Buffett suggested. It is unfair.

There are several things that can be done to reduce this state's dependence on the income tax. Lets face it, California is no longer the wealthy state is was 40 years ago and we should adjust our budget accordingly.

January 21, 2009, 3:47 PM

Darrell Batchelder

Gary has a point.

If every person in California wrote a check to Sacramento for a thousand dollars, most of our state's budget deficit would go away. Now my wife and I could afford that. But others could not. So if the top half pays $2,000 each, then those at the bottom could be "carried" and we'd have a balanced budget. Do I think they should tax golf? I suppose eight and a half percent would not stop me from playing. I pay tax on clubs when I buy them? We've got to start paying off the deficit somewhere and I suspect there could be worse taxes. No one wants more taxation and who ever is "selected" to pay, be it golfers or fisherman, I'm sure will yell a bit.

What solutions would you suggest?

Darrell

January 21, 2009, 5:16 PM

Thomas

When will the public porking end?

They don't call courses 'public courses' for nothing.

Courses state, 'Open to the Public,' they do NOT state 'Taxed by the Government."

What, are they going to start taxing 'public parks' next??? I mean after all, people fly kites there as a form of recreation!

Arnold is giving everyone another reason to leave California.

January 21, 2009, 7:25 PM

mike Luker

I am preaching to the choir here. This tax is utterly unfair, but the REAL issue is not taxation on rounds of golf, it is the apathy of golfers who are unwilling to vote out the "tax and spend" legislators. Today the golfers complain, tomorrow it will some other group. The thing that needs to get done is to join together and vote these legislators out of office. Who did you vote for this past election, those who will told you they will raise taxes or those who promised to reduce taxes? Like the old saying says, you get what you pay. If you voted liberal, get used to the new taxes, this is what you asked for. If you voted conservative, how did you help to get the vote out to defeat the liberals?

January 21, 2009, 9:56 PM

Gary

I never said for each person to write a check for a $1,000.00 check to resolve this Tax issue with the State! What I was referring to was the Lottery system. The Lottery will give $100,000,000.00 million to one person and I simply said that our Society and State would be far better off giving a 1000 people a $1,000,000.00 million dollar chech each..why benefit and gift 1 instead of 1000. Spread the so called wealth a little when it comes to the Lottery..Otherwise stay out of our wallets on this idiotic Golf Tax..!

I would never freely give this State a check for $1,000.00

January 22, 2009, 10:10 AM

Joey

I'm not worried about taxes anymore. I just started writing IOU's for everything. And when they finally catch on I will file for chapter 11 and go on welfare. Liberals think this kind of thing is ok .... so maybe we should just join them instead of fighting them. NRA Semperfi. Don't ever give up your guns either. Hitler collected all the guns from the Jews before he started murdering them.

January 22, 2009, 10:52 AM

Kris

I'm probably in the minority here but I'd rather see a tax on gas than golf but one way or another we have to pay the piper. Let's get the state's books straight and lead the country out of the recession. I'm not in favor of not paying teachers and cops again.

January 22, 2009, 1:02 PM

Jeff Ward

I agree with everything that has been said on all these posts. BUT we all need to write or call our State senators and representatives. With that in mind, does anyone know the actually Bill # or name that the Golf Tax is in?

That Bill # and name should be on www.forecalifornia.com home page. Knowing the exact Bill # will help when writing our State sentors and reps.

Jeff - "The Pro Goofer"

January 22, 2009, 1:49 PM

Rhodey

Here we go again. The divot heads in Sacramento cannot balance a budget, God alone knows how they manage their own personal finances, but because they willy nilly spend our tax payers money, saddle our children & grandchildren with colosal debt and now want to saddle us with yet more tax. Golf crosses all barriers whether you be a member of a country club or a user of city or county facilities we must unite against politicans once again getting into our wallets.

Golf is a discretionary expenditure, don't play don't pay if the entire golf population of California stopped playing for a week you would have cities and counties in a quandry and running to the State for a bailout.

One wonders whether a tax revolt is called for. If players said to their respective clubs "I'll pay for green fees,cart rental, but I will not pay the tax".

A club is not a tax collecting agency,how many bureaucrats are going to pour forth from the woodwork to seek who or who did not pay the tax. It would be absolute turmoil.

Finally if the State is so anxious to tax sports, then let every weight lifter know he will be charged for every bench press, barbell lift etc etc, let every hoop player realise just going onto a court will have to pay a charge, lace your ice skates is a taxeable event. Ride a cycle on any path requires a tax , the list of taxable recreational activities is endless. Meanwhile only taxing golfers strikes me as pure discrimination. A pox on those bureaucrats that even had the temerity to think of taxing our game of golf

January 22, 2009, 4:36 PM

Craig McDonald

Since I'm a "white constructon worker" I will not qualify for a job under the new administration therefore I will not have an income to play golf, hence no tax for me. Guess I can now say it doesn't affect me, it's only for the rich politicians and bureaucrats than can afford to play golf.

January 22, 2009, 6:40 PM

Ralph

As a life-long golfer living in Southwest Washington with our family in the golf business, I can only say welcome to tax-on-golf, and I'm surprised it took so long for California to catch on. Washington has been taxing golf, and all other sports that charge admission, forever. Never mind that "services" such as lawyer fees are not taxed. It makes a very difficult problem to overcome as a business when our customers have to pay sales tax on golf and cart rents that are not charged in Oregon, where many of our customers live.

The reality of the current situation is that since government won't reduce it's size, (or even wait a while for the population to grow in proportion) we are all going to get a chance to "contribute" at a higher level.

The problem with government spending is not teachers, firemen, and the police. It's the thousands of drones that are hired to man the office towers for the purpose of writing and enforcing all the regulations needed to control and guide the activities and business of the citizens. When there is a budget shortage, no part of the bureaucratic machine takes a cut because the public wouldn't care, rather they cut service personnel that are vital to our welfare and security so that we'll agree to increase (feed) the ever-growing government machinery.

I think it's time to tee it up. Have a nice day!!

January 22, 2009, 7:22 PM

Greg

You need to get a blanket form letter out that hits all the points that can be signed and sent to the legislators. Include it with the Info PDF.

January 23, 2009, 9:05 AM

Dennis Morais

Well, well. It didn't take long for "Obamanomics" to hit California. The mere notion of taxing the game of Golf is so completely ludicrous and biased it boggles the mind. These worthless liberal drone legislators have been stealing from the citizens of this state for so long now no one even says anything anymore. Californians just seem to to numbly accept it as "the way it is". WELL NO MORE! People, wake up and take a look at what is happening here! They have been ripping off small business for years, they have raided the funds for education and critical services for as long as I can remember and lining their own pockets with that money. And now to add more Salt into the wound, they want to use the gross misconception that Golf is an "Elitist game" and raise taxes on an amazing sport that can keep our mature citizens active, infuse money into the state via tourism (imagine that!) and teach our young people a sport that demands concentration, respect and sportsmanship. Not to mention getting them to put their game controllers down and get outside and play. This is just wrong. Arnie, what are you doing? It's time for you to step up, be a man for once and stop this NOW. Don't penalize one of the few things that's still good in this place. Start jacking up the criminals in Sacramento instead. THERE is where you'll find the money! And Greg, I agree with you. A petition in the form of a form letter would be most appropriate.

January 23, 2009, 9:57 PM

Brian

Why don't we start taxing everyone who eats tofu instead, if all these libs want higher taxes, target them not the people who already bear the load.

January 24, 2009, 11:52 PM

Lagaman

Let's get real and give this issue some intelligent consideration. Given the current economic situation and the dire budget situation in California, let's assume that golf IS going to be taxed one way or another. How about taking a page from the Obama playbook and establishing a FAIR golf-tax structure in California that would be based roughly on one's ability to pay and play at courses one can afford. Let's assume that it is predominantly "wealthier" people who can afford to play regularly at courses charging higher green fees -- say $100 or more for a round. Let's charge THOSE golfers the 10% tax on their green fees and cart fees because they can probably afford it more easily than the rest of us can. If you're playing at a course where the green fee is $75-$99 (which is still higher than MOST golfers are willing to pay on a regular basis), maybe you establish a tax rate of 7.5%. If the green fees are $50-74 per round, how about a tax of 5%, and so forth down the line, with a minimum tax of 2.5%, no matter how inexpensive the green fees. That way, everyone pays SOMETHING in the way of taxes to help the state take care of and provide services to those of us who live here, but you're hurting moderate, low and fixed- income people (seniors, for example) who like to play golf LESS than if you were charging them a full 10%. For an easy-to-figure out example, if I'm playing at a course where the green fee is $32 and the cart fee is $12 (total $44), I'd be willing to pay a 4% tax ($1.76) to enjoy my golf outing that day. I would NOT be willing to pay $4.40 a day in taxes if I play that course regularly. This idea, if implemented, would raise a substantial amount of money during a year's time. If I'm figuring correctly, a course like Pebble Beach by itself with its $500 green fees, would be contributing well over $2,000,000 a year in taxes, based on green fees, cart fees and caddy fees! What do you golfers out there think of my graduated tax structure?

January 26, 2009, 1:21 AM

Dennis Morais

Lagaman, I appreciate the thought that went into your post. But make no mistake; we are in this dire situation because of greed and corruption in Sacramento. And even though on the surface your proposal sounds reasonable, it fails to address the core issue. Why is the Golfing population and/or industry being singled out to pay these criminals more money? We have to draw the line somewhere; Otherwise it will never end. If we are going to go down the path you suggest, why not modify it a bit and just tax the private clubs that are not accessible to the public anyway? A nice 12-15% tax could be placed on these people and they would not even feel it. But that will never fly. Know why? Because THAT'S WHERE THE CRIMINALS PLAY! With all due respect, enough is enough. No more taxes on working people who are just trying to get a little enjoyment out of life by playing this great game!

January 26, 2009, 6:37 PM

William Hickey

As a golf course owner in upstate New York I also would be conserned about the new tax that is proposed. We in New York do not at this time pay taxes on a round of golf as green fees, but memberships do have to pay. We pay tax on the golf cart rentals and out tax rate is 7.75. The state owns several ski centers, including whiteface mt., the site of the 1980 winter olympics ski events and there is no tax for skiing. Going back to the green fees the state position is that on just green fees there is no tax, but membeships due to the fact they have voting rights or a say as to how the operation is run then they have to pay the tax. Our state and our towns officials knowing that raising taxes is the way to go, not reviewing their operations for savings, they just tax more and apparently that is the situation in California. Out states offer too may benifits for those who do nothing or don't want to do anything, but be taken care of and it is called welfare while you and me pay their bills. I give a lot, but I am now getting sick of it for everyone is looking for a handout. It is time they took care of themselves and not the working folks taking care of our families and theirs. The bible says that if one does not work he starves, so be it. Bill Hickey

January 28, 2009, 9:18 AM

Text Wright

OK, none of us like the idea of any kind of tax, but the reality is that the budget falls short of the green (less money coming into the state in bad economic times) and is affecting lifeline services for seniors, medical care for children, public safety, tuition support for low income college students, infrastructure construction (a source of economic growth) and many more vital services. We in the private sector are not complaining when state workers are asked take a share of the burden with unpaid furloughs. It is just wrong that we golfers get in a snit when we are asked to chip in. The 5-cent per drink alcohol excise tax is also an appropriate source of new income to fund public safety and health issues associated with alcohol consumption and addiction. I work on two part time jobs to support myself and my family, and I think a small tax on my leisure activity and a couple of beers afterward is the fair way.

January 30, 2009, 11:21 AM

Ron Villa

Text Wright, Chip in? We are not asked to chip in! We are taxed until we have almost nothing left, while the fat cats in Sacramento (and Washington for that matter) continue to live high off the " pork " I believe all the taxes we pay now contribute to you having to work two part time jobs. These people have no conscience about spending our money while the budget is still not passed. I say no more and NO TAX ON GOLF !!!!

February 1, 2009, 6:54 AM

Janet

The 10% Golf Tax will kill my Teaching Business. Affordability is golf's problem. I am deeply concerned the customer at some point may not trust the risk of a lesson if the cost increases by 10%. As for me, already needing to lower prices, 45% down in enrollment, student frequency decreasing because of the economy and owners raises rent, this news is grave. Teachers, like myself, take seriously the responsibility to grow the game. 10% is just too severe on a one hour lesson. Most teachers are not employed and are already hurting with rising costs and decrease in golf participation. I will fight this. My concern of the growth of the game and all my fellow golf teachers. Please join in.

February 1, 2009, 6:08 PM

Shelby

The proposed tax is short sighted and will create more problems than it solves. It may be stupid, but it is not as stupid sounding as most of the comments on this blog, written by folks who can't spell or write. Somehow they remind me of a recent President who couldn't put a complete sentence together. I wonder how many of you have actually read the proposed tax bill? That would make you really upset.

Get out and oppose the tax proposal. Put your money where your mouth is.

February 5, 2009, 2:29 PM

Byron

Are states like Arizona and Hawaii, neither of which have state taxes yet are, I would guess, much more popular golfing destinations, having these kind of economic issues? When I voted to replace Gray Davis as Governor because I believed that Arnold, according to his campaign promises, would do the right thing for troubled California. But soon after his election it became apparent what his adgenda really was, and look at where we are now! Taxing golf isn't going to solve California's budget crisis. A broader taxation on ALL recreation and sports industries in the state is the fair thing to do, along with getting rid of Arnold. (Go back to Hollywood!) If we had children, we'd be moving to another state!

February 5, 2009, 3:52 PM

Linda - San Jose

I've already written my e-mail to the governor. As I said in this e-mail, this tax is discriminatory (as only one recreational activity is being identified) and will result in fewer golfers, less revenue for the golf courses and less taxes for the state as golfers already pay for taxes on pro shop merchandise and restaurant items. Our legislators need to get their act together, pass a budget and quit spending money, such as spending millions of taxpayer money for office furniture in Sacramento. Also, what happened to Arnold's commitment to get more money from the Indian casinos, especially after the last measure was passed????????

February 6, 2009, 4:11 PM

Dennis

Bravo, Linda. I have also sent in letters to the Governor and both my local Senator and Assemblyman. It's the only way we are going to get these fools to listen. We can blog all day but we must let them know how we feel or this will all be for naught. Put up or shut up! So props to you, too, Shelby. C'mon, everyone. Contact your leaders and tell them how you feel! Enough is enough!

February 6, 2009, 8:10 PM

Chad Southard

I think the tax makes sense. Golfing is wonderful, and I love it. it is a passion of mine and has been for some time. But face it stingy people, the money must come from somewhere, and golf is a fine place. Courses are beautiful, but environmentally unsustainable. I see lot's of complaining, but no one addressing the real issue that there is a deficit, and money needs to be found in order to make things work better.

February 8, 2009, 5:08 PM

Mike Beckett

I'd like to second Chad's observations and say that those with the time and means to play golf are quite possibly in a better position than others re. paying a tax to cover possibly the worst budget deficit in California's history. Show the same kind of class that embodies this great game, and create for golf a leading example in making a first assist towards addressing this crisis.

February 8, 2009, 10:09 PM

Jim Kiefer

Here's what will happen. Taxes increase....golfers golf less...courses lose already very tight revenue stream....golf courses shut. It is already happening. I was talking with the owner of one local driving range. He is already up against the wall with overhead and very dependent on volunteer guys to help man the place. If the tax decreases the number of patrons....OUT OF BUSINESS!!!!! Politicians constantly point to the small businessman as the backbone of the employment foundation of this country. So we will institute a tax which has the effect of putting small businesses in harms way and possibly out of business altogether. Someone lock the doors to the asylum.

February 13, 2009, 1:01 PM

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