Golf in NC

CRITICAL UPDATE on Golf Sales Tax Issue!

Del Ratcliffe — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:14:00 GMT

This week state legislators appeared to reach a tentative agreement on the budget that did NOT include a tax on golf. However, Governor Beverly Purdue has upended budget deliberations by threatening to veto the agreement, which included a general sales tax increase of one cent, and an income tax increase of 2% on all income brackets. THEREFORE, we have to realize that ALL sources of revenue, including the Recreation and Entertainment Tax are back on the table and may become a part of the budget. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE KEEP UP OUR LOBBYING EFFORTS FOR THE GOLF INDUSTRY! Even if you have already communicated with our elected officials, PLEASE TAKE TIME TO DOWNLOAD THE CURRENT ACTION DOCUMENT AND FAX, EMAIL AND CALL OUR LEADERS TO LET THEM KNOW YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS TAX!!
Download the action document by CLICKING HERE!

Some progress into the first turn; next phase kicking in!!!

Del Ratcliffe — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:41:29 GMT

Today marks the end of another week of discussion among State House and Senate leaders about how our budget will look in the coming year. The Recreation and Entertainment Tax has recieved a lot of scrutiny, and at least one possibility (for now, anyway) is that "participation sports" such as golf COULD possibly be excluded from the tax. As we move further into the budget discussions, this could go either way; therefore, we are advising everyone to continue the communications with our elected officials to let them know that a tax on golf would be significantly counter-productive - not only to golf, but to our state in general! The loss of jobs, reduction of spending and decimation of an industry that employs almost 70,000 people and impacts our economy to the tune of $5.3 BILLION is not something we want to see happen in North Carolina!

Our Voice is Being Heard! CPGA Honorary President Rick Murphy on News 14

Del Ratcliffe — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:27:00 GMT

All reports are that our voice is being heard in Raleigh! Key legislators are hearing from the golf industry that a tax on golf is NOT in the best interests of North Carolina's struggling economy, and in fact will result in further job loss and economic decline. More groups and individuals are coming on board with a clear understanding of the issue and speaking out against the Recreation and Entertainment Tax on golf green fees. Those of us that are a part of the almost 70,000 people employed directly or indirectly by golf, as well as the HUNDREDS of thousands of people that play the game need to make sure we continue to communicate our position until we are certain that the tax will not be applied to golf. This may be as late as September or October, when the final budget is approved and passed. The current Continuing Resolution expires on July 15, but we expect another CR will be passed enabling the government to continue functioning.
Carolinas PGA Honorary President Rick Murphy will be interviewed by News 14 this morning, and News 14 has said they will air the segment across the state. We anticipate a huge outpouring of support from the general public as they hear our message of positive economic contribution to the state's current crisis, even with the challenges we have faced in recent years. We believe that the average resident in the state is well aware that a tax on green fees will hit the average worker - NOT the "wealthy elite" as has been suggested. A tax will only result in further job layoffs, reduced spending on goods and services that in turn affect OTHER industries, and decreased opportunity for people to enjoy recreation and entertainment activities that are the ONE bright spot in a world full of negative news every day.

Keep the Emails, Faxes and Phone Calls Coming!!

Del Ratcliffe — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:50:00 GMT

Our effort to fight the Recreation and Entertainment Tax is gaining momentum! Many within the golf industry have been emailing, faxing and calling based on our recommendations, and it is CRITICAL that we not only keep up the effort but engage others to join us! If you have not done so yet, please email, fax AND call the Senators listed on the "Take Action" guide. If you are a course owner/operator, please print out the petition and have your golfers and staff sign, and FAX IN EACH DAY!! We have posted more documents to the website today, including a one-page flyer, the petition, AND the letter from Governor Beverly Purdue to our State Legislators recommending they include the Recreation and Entertainment Tax (among a HOST of others - you simply HAVE to read this one!!!).
On a related and interesting note, some media outlets are now reporting that the $4.6 Billion "shortfall" in our state's budget is actually closer to $1.1 Billion, and there is speculation that the number is reported high based on last years expense numbers (which were higher than actually spent) AND does not include offsetting Federal money that will reduce the tax burden. Some legislators within our State Government are saying that the "real" numbers indicate that the budget can be achieved with a straight across-the-board 5% cut and NO tax increase at all. We'll follow up on this and report more here on the blog as we find out....

Recreation and Entertainment Tax Considered by Senate Finance Committee

Del Ratcliffe — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:31:00 GMT

The North Carolina Alliance for Golf met yesterday (July 7, 2009) in Raleigh to discuss the potential Recreation and Entertainment Tax that is currently under consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. Alliance members met with key Senate leaders both prior to and after the meeting, with the purpose of expressing our concerns over any tax that may be imposed on golf green fees. Golf plays a large role in our state's economy, but is (like a lot of industries) facing severe challenges. A tax of 7% would equate to raising prices substantially at a time when course operators are struggling to maintain revenue levels that are already well below 2008 levels. A tax will result in additional layoffs in the 70,000 jobs that the industry already supports.
The group learned that the Senate Finance Committee will possibly consider the Recreation Tax as early as this afternoon (July 8,2009). Keep checking the blog as we will update as soon as we have any information on the status of this critical issue.

Welcome

Del Ratcliffe — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:28:50 GMT

Welcome to the North Carolina Golf Blog! This is the official Blog site for Golf Keeps Us Going - a website dedicated to protecting the best interests of golf in North Carolina. We plan to use this area as a means to communicate among the golfing public, members of the golf community and anyone else that has an interest in golf in North Carolina. Please check back often for new entries.