California golfers must recall Arnold Schwarzenegger for golf tax

If there is one thing that golfers can agree with, it’s that the government has no business being on golf courses. Unless, of course, you happen to be House Minority Speaker John Boehner. But these days, golfers in California have more on their plate then worrying about politicians playing golf as the world goes to heck in a heckbasket.

That’s because Governor Arnold Scwarzenegger (a one-time actor), has decided to fix the economy of the state he has helped destroy financially. Yes, California, with upwards of a $40-billion deficit, has decided to tax golfers.

From the Fresno Bee:

The extra revenue is needed to help close a projected state budget deficit of more than $41 billion through June 2010, Schwarzenegger administration officials say.

“You can make the argument that there is no good time to raise taxes. But that said, we cannot close this gap with [spending] cuts alone,” said H.D. Palmer, a department spokesman.

Republicans have long opposed any new taxes, although there is growing consensus in the Legislature that at least some new taxes or fees will be part of a budget deal.

The GOP-aligned California Chamber of Commerce opposes tax increases that target specific industries – like the golf tax – but has expressed at least some support for a broader tax increase.
“If there are going to be tax increases, [they] need to be spread as much as possible to minimize the economic harm,” chamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg said by e-mail.

California taxes fewer services compared with other states – only 21 out of a possible 162 services, according to a survey by the Federation of Tax Administrators. By taxing more services, the state would create a more reliable revenue stream in today’s service-oriented economy, state finance officials say.

But the push-back by golfers, as well as by sporting and tourism industries, shows that almost any tax proposal faces strong political headwinds.

“The governor definitely got their attention, there’s no doubt,” said state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter. “And it’s brought different people into our office than we [normally] see.”

The golf industry says it is being unfairly targeted. Other recreational activities, such as skiing, are not on the tax list. Plus, golf leaders say now is not the time to raise taxes, because courses already are suffering from the recession.

The tax would apply to greens fees, driving-range fees, cart rentals and monthly dues at private clubs.

Yes, while the prevailing thought in the U.S. is that no one should ever pay any taxes on anything ever, Schwarzenegger is going after golfers to fix his financial maelstrom. Luckily for the golf industry, duffers in California aren’t standing for it. They’ve even started a Web site - ForeCalifornia.com, where they say, among other things that:

“Many California golf courses have been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn. An additional tax of up to 10 percent on playing golf and golf-related activities would wreak significant harm on the industry, reducing play, slashing golf-related jobs and shutting down courses that are already operating on slim margins.”

And:

“The tax would backfire by reducing play and closing courses.”

While we’re impressed with the oft-lethargic golfers that are taking up arms in this cause, we feel it’s not going far enough. Basically, it’s time for Schwarzenegger to go. If you remember, the Terminator came to office due to a recall of Gray Davis, who was under considerable fire for running a $38-million deficit and trying to raise taxes to fix the problem.

Now, Schwarzegger is in the exact same spot, except a lot worse (Davis had made serious inroads into alleviating the deficit before he was tossed from office). And he has reacted in much the same way as Davis, trying to force unpopular tax onto his constituents to make up for his own failures.

Californians, we cannot allow this to happen. It is time to recall Arnold Schwarzenegger. It should be easy. Heck, you probably still have some of the paperwork laying around from when you recalled Davis.

So recall Schwarzenegger and get some new ideas into California. Open up the position of governor to all comers as you did during the recall of Davis. Maybe this time Mary Carey will win. It’s not like she could do any worse that the former bodybuilding champ.

–WKW