Unless you aren’t living here in California, you don’t know that our State Assembly and Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, recently crammed the largest one-year state tax increase in U.S. history down the throats of us unsuspecting Golden State folk. An astonishing $12 billion dollar increase on top of what we already pay. Sales tax in my state is now 11%. Yep, YOU READ THAT RIGHT, 11 PERCENT. *reaches for lube*
(Taxpayer lube to fund Leiweke (l) future LA Kings free agent signings?)
Life has never been tougher for Californians, but thankfully we have our wonderful sports teams to make life here a little more bearable. Teams like the NHL Los Angeles Kings, the Lakers, the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors.
Oh, wait.
On the heels of the enormous tax increase already leveled on citizens of California, Schwarzenegger is now pushing newly-balloted propositions (1A-1F) that would extend similar taxes for two more years. The props are packed with at least $24B in more new taxes to prop up a failed state govt. on the brink of bankruptcy.
Now you say to yourself, who is god’s name would support such a measure? Actually, the Lakers, Clippers, Los Angeles Kings and Golden State Warriors, that’s who.
As part of the initial framework of the basket of additional tax-levying propositions due to be voted on May 19, an amusement tax was supposedly being considered by state lawmakers and Schwarzenegger. That is, a tax on tickets for sporting events, concerts, and amusement parks.
The SAN FRANCISCO SENTINEL reports on what happened when the teams found out about the idea:
There was no new sales tax on event tickets. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and their parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group, have combined to donate $200,000 for the measures.
In other words, the teams forked over $200,000 as a bribe to politicians to prevent the event tax from being a part of the tax-raising propositions.
Oh, but it gets even better!
The SACRAMENTO BEE reports this week that AEG President Tim Leiweke, who runs the Staples Center and the NHL Kings, recently, personally contributed $125,000 to the ad campaign promoting the passage of the tax hike props. Additionally, Leiweke hosted a $5,000-an-invite gathering for Schwarzenegger at his home last night. The price for a photo with the Guv at the event? $25,000!
That fundraising money, in the hundreds of thousands, also went to the proposition ad campaign.
I guess it’s just a coincidence that Leiweke happens to preside over a company that takes in more event ticket revenue than any other business in the state.
It’s one thing to bribe politicians to prevent a tax on your business product. But it’s another to actively promote the passage of monstrous tax increase on an already beleaguered state.
For that reason, you can somewhat give the Lakers, Clips and Warriors a pass. But not Leiweke, AEG and the NHL Kings.
Not to worry though. Much like Leiweke’s Kings, the props have zero chance of (winning) approval. Most California citizens are outraged the props are even being pushed by the state government and Schwarzenegger.
And when it comes ot Ah-nuld, who is now reviled statewide after his failed tenure as governor, I hope Leiweke realizes he’s betting on the wrong horse.
11:10 pm on May 5th, 2009
I live here in Sacramento, and these props are ridiculous. You should vote no on everyone of them.
11:17 pm on May 5th, 2009
great piece, keep us informed. NO MORE TAXES!!!!
By the way Mason and Ireland did talk about this a couple months ago.
11:58 pm on May 5th, 2009
I guess all that "Stimulus" money did a lot of good.
Wow!. More debt and higher taxes.
I'm shocked that that happened.
The blame for California's problems should not placed on the Governor irregardless of his political affiliation.
The problem is the elected Legislative branch.
The lawmakers that you in Cali voted in
to office are the ones who have screwed (in a major way) you guys.
It's their misrepresentation that has f*cked things up.
If only their had been extensive tax cuts instead of "stimulus" spending.
3:33 am on May 6th, 2009
If you don't like the taxes, then why don't you leave California?
6:46 am on May 6th, 2009
RoB68 is right - bloated gov and ridiculous deals with unions, and Prop 13 that caps property tax on 'stay putters' hamstrings the governor. And don't forget the influx of illegals who drain the state of money through use of free services - never paying any taxes - just to keep the price of a head of lettuce down. Thanks Liberals.
12:54 pm on May 6th, 2009
That's right. Let's blame it on the illegals. In case you forgot, being part of a democracy means that you have to actually take part in it and hold politicians responsible when they screw you Brooks. Griping about it on your blog does nothing. Why don't you get off your duff and actually go volunteer instead of blaming liberals. I forgot, the past 8 years of conservative government have gotten us SO far…
1:40 pm on May 6th, 2009
Right on, BrooksBigForehead.
Boyd, us fiscal conservatives are now so outnumbered by those people on the government teet that we'll probably never have an impact in future elections trying to reign in the free-spending liberals. And they will continue to cater to the unwashed masses, spending like drunken sailors, just so they can remain in office.
Maybe if those living in the 2-mile sliver of coastline could secede from the state we'd have a chance.
6:48 pm on May 6th, 2009
I am not the Kings owner, just the President….and I hosted Arnie’s dinner cause his wife thinks my ‘Chowdaaaa is Wicked Good.’
6:48 pm on May 6th, 2009
My man chowdaaaa
7:20 pm on May 6th, 2009
elwoodboll,
Sounds like all these Props (except for the one that limits legislature pay) are going down, and going down HARD. Not to mention there are petitions to recall certain GOP members who voted to send these to the electorate. See, who says the Right can't affect politics in CA?
Too bad this sort of thing that AEG has done hasn't affected their credit rating (though it ought to).
1:15 am on May 7th, 2009
Hey Boyd,The previous 8 years was not Presided over by a Conservative.
Hey BrooksBigForehead, thanks for the back. Much appreciated.
It's all about responsibility and accountability. Both of which have been severely lacking and gradually deteriorating in this country for too long.
The government is supposed to work for us and not in spite of us.
Thomas Jefferson once said: "When the people fear the government there exists tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.
That is what we need to get back to.
Hey California, if you hate higher taxes then don't elect peoples that are for it.
Elect peoples that represent you.
Don't elect peoples that are just in office that are for their own subservience.
Don't put people in office that are there just to push their own agendas and pet projects through.
And now for something completely different……..sports.
It's my hope and fervent prayer that the Yankees finish last in their division and don't beat the Red Sox once this year.
I'm no Red Sox fan, I'm a Braves fan.
That said, I loath the Yankees.
I can't say hate. Hate is a powerful and too often wrongly used word.
The only time I use the word hate in sports is in response or reference to the NFL team and complete Obama-nation that is the Denver Donkey's.
Go Raiders.
And
Go Lakers.
And
Go Bruins.
6:11 pm on May 8th, 2009
OH HELL NO.. Keep the Californians in CALIFORNIA. We're f**king sick of 'em up here in the northwest.