CSGA Publications: 2014 Championship Annual | Page 92

STATE LEGISLATURE A MONG ITS MANY activities, the Connecticut State Golf Association plays an active role at the State Capitol monitoring trends, policies, and potential legislation that could affect Connecticut’s golf business. “We take our role as advocates for golfers and the Connecticut golf industry quite seriously,” says CSGA Executive Director, Mike Moraghan. “It’s important that we be aware of what’s happening in Hartford, and whenever possible help shape policy that favors our member clubs and golf course operations.” The CSGA employs Capitol Consulting, LLC, a government relations firm based in East Hampton. Longtime lobbyist Mike Dugan owns and operates Capitol Consulting and keeps the CSGA apprised of relevant issues within the State Legisl ature and beyond. “Mike Dugan has been at this for a long time and he knows all the key players,” according to Moraghan. “He has great people skills, is widely respected in the building, and has a real passion for the work. From our perspective it also helps that he loves golf and understands the game from a number of angles. He’s a regular at Glastonbury Hills Country Club who loves to play, and he appreciates that golf is more than just recreation for a lot of people in Connecticut; it’s their livelihood, whether they’re an agronomist out on a golf course or a merchandiser in a pro shop.” Pesticide and fertilizer issues, water use regulations, and varying forms of taxation are among the topics Dugan, the CSGA and the Connecticut Golf Course Superintendents Association have worked on together for several years. “We’re happy to provide the funding for Capitol Consulting and help our superintendents in any way that we can,” says Moraghan. “We have industry leaders and experts in Connecticut like Scott Ramsey (superintendent at The Course at Yale) who’ve been outstanding representatives for golf and the industry in Connecticut. Scott, Mike and I talk frequently about issues and when necessary we’re more than happy to meet with legislators or testify 92 before committees.” In March of 2014, Moraghan and several golf course owners including Bob Ferrarotti (Fairview Farm, Stonybrook) and Bud Smith (Orange Hills) spoke before the Legislature’s Planning and Development Committee. The topic was tax legislation put forth by State Senator Kevin Witkos of Simsbury that could provide some relief for privately owned public golf courses. When Dugan brought the topic to Moraghan’s attention the Executive Director immediately called a number of golf course owners and brought the group together in the lobby of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. “It was a good first step in getting the manner in which golf courses are taxed back on the table and in the conversation again at the Capitol,” according to Moraghan. “With Bob and Bud conveying personal stories to a very receptive P&D Committee I believe we made some progress.” In his testimony Moraghan cited the disappearance of the Canton Public Golf Course, an area now covered with asphalt, cement and shopping malls, and described the threat of golf courses being taxed out of existence. Property taxes on both private courses and on privately owned (nonmunicipal) public golf courses in Connecticut may vary year-to-year based on interpretations by local tax assessors. Inconsistencies and sudden increases have been onerous to many golf facilities in the state. The legislation proposed by Sen. Witkos sought to give local assessors the option of treating golf courses as open space and taxing them at the same rate as farmland and forests. Although the Committee held the Witkos bill, Moraghan and others in attendance including Bill Anderson of Blackledge and Carey Stollman of Chanticlair believed a foundation was laid for future consideration. “There are a good many Connecticut legislators who play golf and appreciate all the positive aspects of the game,” said Moraghan. “I also believe we’re beginning to see a good, positive shift in how golf courses are viewed by non-golfing Connecticut State Golf Association 2014 Top: CSGA Executive Director Mike Moraghan; Bottom: Mike Dugan of Capitol Consulting, LLC legislators. Folks who value economic development understand that golf courses are small businesses that employ people and bring value to the surrounding community. Environmentalists recognize that golf courses provide green space, wildlife habitat and groundwater filtration. People who value quality of life see the health benefits of being outdoors and playing golf.” While legislative issues that affect golf course operations are often slow in developing, Connecticut’s golfers remain assured that the CSGA, the CT Golf Course Superintendents and Capitol Consulting remain committed to acting on their behalf with a strong presence at the State Capitol in Hartford. www.csgalinks.org