Garden State Times

Senator Declan O’Scanlon has voiced strong opposition to Governor Murphy's recent budget proposal, which seeks to implement new tax increases on participatory sports and activities.

O’Scanlon expressed concerns over what he describes as an ongoing pattern of excessive taxation by the governor, asserting that "no activity is safe from his insatiable appetite for spending.” The senator highlighted the financial burdens faced by families, who are already contending with rising energy costs and high property taxes. O’Scanlon stated that the new proposal represents “another desperate cash grab from a governor and Legislative Democrats that refuse to control their spending habits.”

Currently, individuals participating in sporting activities are not subject to sales and use tax. However, this could change under Governor Murphy’s budget proposal. Activities that may be affected include baseball batting cages, basketball courts, bowling alleys, billiard parlors, go-cart rides, speedways, greens fees at golf courses, driving ranges, laser tag, mini golf, paintball, skating rinks, swimming pools, and tennis courts.