Schwarzenegger proposes state tax on golf

President-elect Barack Obama may have promised not to raise taxes on 95 percent of Americans, but it appears California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to up the ante on golfers.

According to an article on the San Francisco Chronicle's web site, in addition to raising the state sales tax 1.5 percent, "Schwarzenegger also wants to broaden the sales tax to include appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair, golf and veterinary services beginning March 1." The article also states that expanding to these areas would bring in an additional $357 million in tax revenue for the state.

Although details as to what exactly would be taxed are fuzzy at this point, Ken Morton Jr. of Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop in Sacramento, Calif., said it is possible green fees, golf memberships, carts, and lessons could be among the taxable items. Stay tuned.

--E. Michael Johnson