Senate OKs 2-cent gas tax:(Alabama Senate)

TimesDaily.Com ^ | April 10, 2002 | By Dana Beyerle

[Inge_CAV]

Humor!

In accordance with local customs and the approval of the Alabama Golf Commision, the following rules changes have been approved:

Golf carts on this course will be 4x4 pickup trucks. Any disputes on playing thru will be decided by the Pickup with the largest tires. Cutting donuts on the fairways is not allowed.

There will be no ball washing stations for obvious reasons. Spittoons will be supplied at the greens though.

Pig pens will be used rather than sand traps.

Water Hazards will be stocked with catfish and Water-Moccasins.

Three new irons are approved, they are 410, 20 and 12 gauge.

Pars for courses will be marked by sips of moonshine to finish the hole.

The clubhouse, known as the Boars Nest, will have Saturday Night Dances with a live string band. The three newly approved golfclub irons will not be allowed into the dances.

A Golf Pro is available for lessons. You may recogonize him as the one in bib-overalls, slouch hat, barefooted and carrying a doublebarreled 12 iron.

/Humor.

[Inge_CAV]

FORE!!!

[Inge_CAV]

Golf???

: )

[Phantom Lord]

How will this affect the supply of gasoline?

And will they require the course to use gas powered golf carts and not electric ones?

[Phantom Lord]

The gas tax will no longer be collected once the local financial obligation is met.

Ya right. And tolls booths come down after they have collected the cost of the highway. Not gonna happen.

[Inge_CAV]

Gas price at one station is at $1.299 per gallon of regular already.

[2Trievers]

I'll think I'll let you two play through. &;-)

[Neets]

Check out this cat!!!

[Inge_CAV]

Women golfers will be allowed to wear golf shoes but not allowed to use the cleats on their spouses ... during the game.

[Inge_CAV]

Nice kitty!! : )

[ppaul]

BIG DEAL!
The Washington state legislature just passed a 9 cent increase in the state gas tax (which was already .23 per gallon!).
The "People's Government".

[Inge_CAV]

This is a local issue but the taxes are almost never repealed.

[Will]

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail presently consists of 7 or 8 of the worlds best golf courses. Many national and professional tournaments have already been played on these courses and many more are being developed for the future. People from all over the world are coming to Alabama to play these courses, which in spite of being such well designed, high quality courses are priced at municipal course rates easily affordable by a wide variety of folks. Elite world class golf courses accessible by non-elitists. At least Alabama doesn't find itself ranked 45th or lower in this regard. Now if we can just get some politicians with balls enough to reform our century old joke of a constitution and its tax structure which is so advantageous to timber and insurance companies that Alabamians can only say "thank you, may I have another" as these companies repeatedly rape this beautiful state. I wish they had the same enthusiasm in creating excellent school funding that they exhibit in creating another of these world class golf courses. Priorities! And BTW, the spitoons are only located on odd numbered holes...

[Inge_CAV]

"And BTW, the spitoons are only located on odd numbered holes...

LOL!

The three new irons are approved for birdies.

[AUgrad]

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail presently consists of 7 or 8 of the worlds best golf courses. Many national and professional tournaments have already been played on these courses and many more are being developed for the future. People from all over the world are coming to Alabama to play these courses, which in spite of being such well designed, high quality courses are priced at municipal course rates easily affordable by a wide variety of folks. Elite world class golf courses accessible by non-elitists. At least Alabama doesn't find itself ranked 45th or lower in this regard. Now if we can just get some politicians with balls enough to reform our century old joke of a constitution and its tax structure which is so advantageous to timber and insurance companies that Alabamians can only say "thank you, may I have another" as these companies repeatedly rape this beautiful state. I wish they had the same enthusiasm in creating excellent school funding that they exhibit in creating another of these world class golf courses. Priorities! And BTW, the spitoons are only located on odd numbered holes...

They're not really priced at munincipal rates. The last time I went it cost about $65 to ride 18 @ Hampton Cove. You are correct though. It is the best system of public courses in the country, maybe the world. If you've never played one it is worth the effort. These course are immaculate and extremely challenging. Some states have begun to copy the idea because of the rather large increase in tourism the state has realized.

[be131]

Why is it the job of the state to spend taxpayers' dollars to build golf courses??

[Inge_CAV]

"Why is it the job of the state to spend taxpayers' dollars to build golf courses??"

I agree, there is already nine or more golf courses in the same area.

[Will]

The planning of these golf courses was to make contributions of vastly higher amounts to be returned to the state in the form of tourism, to these golf courses and other attractions. A limited number of jobs are also provided. It seems to be one of the few governmental efforts to actually work and it is considered a huge success that is being copied in other states now.

The idea for and the funding of these courses was made by the State Employees Retirement Fund, another of the actually successful state government agencies. The Retirement System has been featured in the financial press on numerous occasions for its exceptionally successful operation.

[BamaCharm]

I live within 2 miles of "The Legends" course, which is also part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. It made a big impact on the local economy as businesses from all over the world (particularly Japan) plan their conferences here at The Legends' hotel/conference center. They meet in the mornings then play on their pick of three 18-hole courses, laid out along the scenic Alabama River surrounded by trees covered with spanish moss.

The funding is provided by the Retirement Systems of Alabama - probably the most successful pension plan in the nation. Back in the 70s, the Alabama Legislature made a decision to allow the State Employees Pension fund to be invested in the private sector. The result is a pension fund that is nearly to the point that the State no longer needs to make contributions. You'll be happy you have the RTJ Course. They are a good partner.

[AUgrad]

Why is it the job of the state to spend taxpayers' dollars to build golf courses??

It wasn't built with tax dollars, it was built using retirement system funds. It was an investment and it has turned out to be a good one.