plusFORE, December 2014
Figuring out what elections mean for industries is an exercise fraught with perils for the figurer not just the perils associated with assigning meaning to events that have yet to occur but the dangers associated with communicating to an industry filled with enthusiasts who are Republicans Democrats Independents Libertarians conservatives liberals and centrists of all shapes forms varieties and stripes So with armor firmly donned and the proviso that what follows here is not about generic politics but only about the narrow perspective of the golf industry let me be so bold as to suggest that Nov 4 2014 was a good day Proposition 1 Water Bond passed overwhelmingly Hardly a panacea the 75 billion in water infrastructure investment represented at least a down payment on improved water storage storm water capture aquifer replenishment and recycled capacity all central to the industrys long term viability Proposition 2 Rainy Day Fund also passed overwhelmingly Anything that establishes a strong public preference for setting aside surpluses durgovernment affairs ELECTIONS MATTER By Craig Kessler Director Governmental Affairs ing fat times militates against the context reformers need to bring tax reform to the center of the political debate And since virtually every reform proposal includes a service tax among its central organizing principles anything that keeps this issue in think tanks universities and op ed columns and off the floor of the legislature is good for the golf industry which is virtually untaxed in California Speaking of the application of completely new varieties of taxes the Democratic Party lost its super majorities 2 3 in both chambers of the legislature Three incumbent Democratic Assemblymen were defeated and retiring Democratic Senator Lou Correas North Orange County seat flipped Republican This means that Republican votes will be required to raise or create taxes Given that and the fact that Governor Brown was overwhelmingly reelected on a platform of holding the lid on spending and taking all new tax proposals to the people for their direct vote whatever appetite there might have been for taking up comprehensive tax reform has been stalled This is still on the agenda of many legislators including former Assembly Speaker and newly elected State Senator Bob Hertzberg D Los Angeles and the golf industry will continue to closely monitor the issue Twenty two states including the red states of Texas and Georgia already tax golf As for extending Proposition 30 s temporary sales and income taxes they expire in two years and taking up certain inequities in the way property tax burdens have shifted from commercial owners to residential owners suffice it to say that with the states coffers flush a rainy day fund firmly in place a powerful Governor dedicated to keeping a tight lid on spending and the results of the November election fresh in everyones mind these cans will be kicked down the road Elections matter GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS WIN A COBRA BIO CELL DRIVER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON As a thank you to our plusFORE readers the SCGA is giving you the exclusive chance to win a Cobra Golf BiO Cell Driver this holiday season The all titanium BiO CELL driver has taken adjustability customization and pure distance to the next level ENTER NOW
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