The sales tax hike proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday raised more than just some eyebrows around the Southland, as the plan includes taxing things that were previously un-taxed, including amusement park admission tickets. The tax on entry to places like Disneyland would begin on March 1, 2009 if the proposal is to go through, and the folks at the mighty Mouse are mad:
“We oppose the Governor’s proposed theme park tax because it unfairly targets the tourism industry and may deter new visitors to the Golden State at a time we need them most,” said resort spokeswoman Lisa Haines in an e-mail statement. “This tax is not worth the risk to an industry that is a proven job creator and economic engine for California’s growth.”The rate increase would bring sales tax in Orange County to 9.25%, which would then be tacked on to the already pricey admission to the Happiest Place on Earth, which soared to $69 just this August.
While some economists see the tax increase and its new application to things like amusement parks and sporting events as a positive, many retailers are joining Disney in expressing dismay with the news. One way to beat the added cost of going to Disneyland? Go on your birthday--it's free.
Photo by ldcross (away implementing a CMMS) via Flickr
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Go on your birthday huh? Alone? How many people want to pay $70 to go to disneyland cuz its their friends' birthday and they are getting in free? Thats what I thought.
Perhaps twins and triplets would best benefit from going on their birthday?
I'm guessing though that some smaller families might appreciate saving $70 to take the whole group to celebrate one family member's special day.
How about a increased sales tax that unfairly targets low income populations? How about a higher luxury or progressive earnings tax instead? But I bet Disney wouldn't be much happier with those either.
good point. Im definately making my friends pay. I havnt been since grad night! (1998)
Whether the sales tax goes up or not, it does seem somewhat odd to me that going to a restaurant to eat is taxed, but not entry to Disneyland? I didn't realize amusement park entry was exempt.
Thinking on it a little further, I don't know that taxing entry would ultimately do much, since there would be less money to spend on the $8 churros that are being taxed.
WE HAVE FOR YEARS TRIED TO WARN YOU! Where do you think taxpayers money is going...?
37 MILLION illegal aliens--that we support for parasite employers, according to the Tucson sector Border Patrol union local 2544, not the propaganda brought forth by the Liberal national press and special interest lobby of only 13 million. An additional half-million coming every year. California is $11 billion dollars in the red, so now they are looking for ways to cut programs. Don't re-elect Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa he's embraced LOS ANGELES as a SANCTUARY CITY, in a SANCTUARY STATE.
A massive financial impact on our economy by importing the worlds poor.
Go to www.numbersusa.com for immigration facts not lies.
TIME TO FIGHT BACK OR BE SUBMERGED IN ILLEGAL FOREIGN NATIONALS, LEECHING FROM OUR WELFARE SYSTEM! REMEMBER PROP 187? YOU HAVE BEEN PAYING EVER SINCE. EDUCATION, HEALTH-CARE, HOUSING! JUST THE TIP OF THE ECONOMIC ICEBERG. REMEMBER? LOW INCOME PEOPLE GET ALL THEIR TAXES BACK! REMEMBER ALL THE RISING CRIME RATES IN SANCTUARY CITIES AND STATES!
Learn about many positive legal cases won at www.judicialwatch.org We are beginning to stop the open border zealots and immigration special interest lobby.
The higher the sales tax goes the further many go to avoid it. Black market economies, etc. Not to mention the everyday choice of Amazon and their ilk: free shipping, no tax.
The rich with second homes have expensive items shipped (or pretend to have shipped) to whatever state the business is in to avoid the tax. Man, billionaires who do this... seriously... Billionaires who pretend to live in Florida to keep from paying state income tax.
We're screwed. Our current predicament is massively worse than what we impeached Gray Davis for. Sacramento makes Wall Street look good.
I know friends who are already resorting to bartering to get basics that they need (which is kind of cool in and of itself). If the state can just figure out how to tax that.
This is no big deal, they've been taxing admission tickets at Magic Kingdom in Orlando for years..