Nov 17 2008
CA Veterinary Tax
In Calif., Governor Schwarzenegger wants to raise millions by adding a tax on veterinary services. On November 6, 2008, Gov. Schwarzenegger called for an increase in the California state sales tax to address the multi-billion dollar deficit in the budget, and proposed a sales tax on all veterinary services. This was part of a larger combination of program cuts and revenue increases to balance the state budget.
This proposal could add approximately 9% to the cost of veterinary care. In already tight times, this means many animals won’t get the necessary medical care and treatment they deserve because veterinary services will be more expensive. Increasing the cost of veterinary care will only lead to more animals being abandoned, or euthanized.
If you live in Calif. and oppose this idea, write letters, make phone calls, send emails, or fax your comments to the Governor and to your elected officials.
If writing, try to personalize your letter and be brief. Let them know that pets are family members and this proposed tax will add a huge financial burden to your family. Ask that veterinary services be removed from the Governor’s proposal.
For more information, visit the California Veterinary Medical Association website.
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Having veterinary costs taxed will only create additional hardships for people who are trying to take responsible care of their pets. People will avoid taking their pets to vets when it is needed. We also will have increased animals being taken to the already overcrowded humane societies.
And, older people on fixed incomes (like myself) have pets for company and to prevent loneliness. To have additional costs added to the already high vet bills, will keep many from having pets and/or from taking good care of them. Pets are like family members.
There are many other purchases that could have sales taxes added on to them that are true luxuries. Providing adequate medical care to pets is not one of them.
I will be just appalled if this tax would go through. Whatever is Arnie thinking of?????
Roberta: I completely agree. It breaks my heart to think that people may have to give up/and/or not get medical attention for their animal companions because Arnold can’t balance the budget.
I just got this email from the Governors Office tonight:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me about my proposal to broaden the sales and use taxes to include veterinarian services. I appreciate your input during these challenging times for our state.
Since I signed the 2008-09 budget, economic conditions have been deteriorating rapidly, and we are now facing a $14.8-billion revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year. Without immediate action, our state is headed for a fiscal disaster.
On November 6, I called the Legislature into Special Session to close our projected shortfall, stimulate our economy, keep Californians from losing their homes to foreclosure and fix our Unemployment Insurance Fund. Unfortunately for California, the legislators adjourned without solving any of these issues. I have now called a fiscal emergency special session, and the Legislature has 45 days to send me bills addressing the budget.
To generate new revenue, I am proposing to apply the sales and use tax rate to veterinarian services at 6.5 percent. We selected industries that already have infrastructure in place to implement this tax in a timely fashion. I have made tough choices I wish I didn’t have to make, and I know this is a terrible time to raise taxes. But in an emergency like this, we have to take quick action to keep our problems from getting worse – even if it requires decisions we do not like.
If we attack these problems head-on, make the difficult choices and work together for the common good, California will pull through this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
I am abousltly appalled by this bill!!! Arnorld is out of his mind. CA will be in a uproar if this passes. Why impose this tax on the animals? They didnt do anything wrong. They are the ones who comfort us in these hard times, and it breaks my heart to think that some of them wont be able to get care in their times of need just because Arnold thinks this will help solve CA budget problem. Not to mention the vets who will lose a ton of business because of this new tax imposed on them. You never hear of vets taking extraggant high roll vacations, as we do about some other professionals who just received a huge “Bail out”! I really am upset about this and something needs to be done to stop this. Lets not give up!!!!
There’s also a phone number for the Governor’s office that can be called to voice opposition. It takes literally less than 20 seconds, so it’s incredibly easy.
Call 916-445-2841.
Press 1 for English.
Press 5 for the veterinary tax proposal.
It will ask you to press 1 if you’re calling about the
veterinary tax proposal, so press 1.
Then press 2 to oppose the tax.
..and that’s it!