New York’s bowlers certainly let their voices be heard in Albany, but it probably was an economic boost from Washington that saved bowling from being subjected to a state sales tax.
Last week, Gov. Paterson announced that a proposal to impose new sales taxes on a variety of items, including bowling, was being eliminated from current budget negotiations. The state’s bowling industry, led by the NYS Bowling Proprietors Association, lobbied against this proposal and, for now, has weathered the storm.
“It was decided that since the federal stimulus money was coming New York’s way, it was not necessary for these ‘amusement taxes’ to be included in the budget,” said Kathy Leitgeb, NYSBPA executive director. “I’m sure that was a big part of their decision, but I’m sure our efforts made a difference, too.”
Leitgeb said that an estimated 75,000 “Strike Down the Tax on Bowling” cards filled out by bowlers across the state were delivered to lawmakers in Albany. Furthermore, a “Lobby Day” in Albany on March 10 was a success, she said, as bowling officials stated their case to more than 30 legislators..
“For the most part, they thought our arguments were valid,” she said. “Really, it (the sales tax proposal) was a foolish idea. It wouldn’t have made the state any money. It would have created more hardship to an already tough business.”
Leitgeb noted that bowlers in Batavia and the surrounding area were very much involved in the protest. She said that Rick Mancuso, proprietor of Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, sent her copies of letters he wrote to our district’s senator and assemblyman.
In making the announcement to rescind the tax plan, Gov. Paterson said that “now that enhanced funding (estimated at $6.5 billion through the end of 2009-10) is available, our highest priority must be to provide targeted relief to those who need it most during this economic crisis – average New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet.”
The state’s bowling leaders were surprised that the proposal was taken out of the budget so soon, Leitgeb said.
“We were in it for the long haul,” she said. “We’re still aware, however, that this stimulus package is a quick fix. The same situation could resurface in 24 months from now. Hopefully we made a strong enough statement that it won’t be considered again.”
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SPARE SHOTS
-- I finally caught up to Craig Royce, the Lima bowler who set a Genesee Region United States Bowling Congress Association record with an 847 series last month at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo. It seems he was bowling at the Super Bud Bowl in Oswego when I first tried to contact him. Royce said he had purchased a couple new bowling balls, the Rotogrip Cell and Cell Pearl, and it was the Cell that performed so well on that special night when he rolled games of 300-268-279. “Everything seemed to fall for me,” said Royce, 39, a machinist at DP Tool & Machine in Avon. “I got a little worried when I left the 4-6-7 split in the first frame of the last game, but I got the next 11 strikes.” It was his second 800 series and he now has six certified 300 games. Ironically, he tied his friend, Scott Culp of Lima, for the hall’s highest series ever with the same scores as Culp, only Culp’s were in a different order – 268-279-300.
-- Brian Green, a 27-year-old lefty from Pavilion, bowled in the PBA Experience League at Mancuso’s this season. Last week, he tried the real thing as he competed in a Professional Bowlers Association Regional tournament in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He averaged 178 for his eight games, not nearly enough to be in contention, but he said he “enjoyed the experience” and plans to try again in the near future. Dan Patterson of Buffalo won the event, beating out 104 other bowlers for the $3,000 first prize. Exempt pro Joe Ciccone of Buffalo placed fourth ($1,000).
-- Speaking of the Super Bud Bowl, Adam Philp of Caledonia made it to the fifth round of match play to win $500 in the event that drew 1,100 entries during the week of March 8-14. Other local players who were among the 96 who made it to the match play finals were Matt and Justin LaGeorge of Leicester, Tom Rohl of Le Roy, Eric Galton of Portageville and Brian Weber of Perry.
(Mike Pettinella’s Pin Points bowling column appears every Thursday during the bowling season. If you have an item of interest for his column, please contact him at mikepett2002@yahoo.com or at 343-3736 or by mail at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia).