Schwarzenegger wants to tax pets, Veterinary services

[Regis Philbin]

More fun from those wacky people in Kah-Lee-Forn-Yah. :hat:

If you own a pet, that's now considered a "luxury". Luxuries are for "the rich" and therefore should be taxed. This means the little old lady with 5 cats as her only companions will have to pay taxes on her furry little "luxuries" to the state of California so they can continue to provide healthcare to illegal aliens.

Will PETA protestors now join the tolerant and compassionate gay rights advocates who are harassing innocent Mormons in the streets?

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/A-Recommended-Sales-Use-Tax/story.aspx?guid=%7B7BCC05E8-DA48-4D12-AF64-F97F804E8332%7D

PRESS RELEASE

A Recommended Sales and Use Tax Proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger Will Tax Veterinary Services, Says Social Compassion in Legislation

Pets are not furniture. New 'luxury' tax (also applied to furniture repair, auto repair and golf) will result in higher veterinary costs and further shelter overpopulation!

Last update: 11:50 a.m. EST Nov. 21, 2008

LOS ANGELES, Nov 21, 2008

In a recent announcement, Governor Schwarzenegger recommended broadening the Sales and Use Tax to include "luxury" items such as veterinary services, which is sure to cause an increase in animal shelter overpopulation. Animal welfare advocates across the state are joining forces and urging all pet owners to take action and contact the governor and state legislature to stop this tax.

"Our companion animals are family members and taking care of their health is a responsibility, not a discretionary spending decision like golf or furniture repair," said Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation. "No other medical professions were included in the sales tax proposal, and with record numbers of families already making the unfortunate choice to abandon their pets because they cannot afford them in today's economy, the last thing we need to do is increase medical costs."

Due to the poor economy and home foreclosures, shelters across the city, state and nation are seeing an increase in animal intake. This new tax for veterinary services will cause some pet owners to be unable to afford proper pet care and others to relinquish their pets to shelters.

[SparkleHugs]

Are you forgetting that the Republican Governer is asserting this?

I am really tired of your comments about California. They are offensive and predjudiced. No one would stand for people to talk crap about the negative sterotypes associated with say, West Virginia because Chad would raise a rukus (as he should) Why is it acceptable to talk crap about California based on something one governor (that is on YOUR SIDE) is trying to push forth.

This is ridiculous legislation and i hope it doesn't go through. Most people with pets cannot afford such a thing. just as they cannot afford for their car registration to triple. Luckily Arnold cannot run again.

[Richard Tafoya]

We're talking about a 1.5 percent temporary sales tax increase. On a $40 vet visit, that amounts to 60 cents.

You can make that back by clipping a coupon for pet food next time you head to the grocery store. I don't see a heck of a lot of hardship in that.

[SparkleHugs]

i didnt realize it was so tiny, and on everything, not only pets.

they are talking about raising the entire states sales tax. I take no issue with that since I dont want the car tax to go up and we have to get the money from somewhere.

[Richard Tafoya]

Regis, as usual, didn't bother to know anything about what he was talking about.

[Whoda Thunk?]

Are you forgetting that the Republican Governer is asserting this?


That's the first thing I wondered. Has Regis become an equal opportunity basher now?

[Richard Tafoya]

Arnold isn't "Republican enough" for him. People on the far right tend to disown and attack anyone who isn't just like them, just like Regis' idol Mr. Limbaugh does.