by Kelly Campbell
With the 2024 election season in full swing, you’re likely getting bombarded with (and maybe tired of) election coverage. Take a break from the typical news cycle as we introduce a new and surprising issue in politics – pickleball.
That’s right, it’s officially happened. Our favorite sport has infiltrated the politics space, in more ways than we’d anticipated.
From debates about public spaces and courts to taxes and noise pollution, pickleball’s pull in local politics is growing as the sport does. Read on for more about how pickleball is a player in this election season and how we might continue to experience pickleball’s political power in the future.
“Pickleball” Tax Becomes an Issue in AZ
In late September, Gilbert, AZ was in the headlines for its pickleball tax proposal – a series of tax increases to fund infrastructure including pickleball courts. This sparked a debate in the community, in which many claim that the so-called pickleball tax is illegal and unfair to Gilbert residents.
It’s important to note that the proposed tax increase is not pickleball-specific. The tax hike includes a 1.5 to 2% increase on preexisting taxes and a 2% new use tax. The new addition would fund infrastructure needs for parks, police, and fire, which happen to include splash pads and pickleball courts. The tax would affect residents, tourists, and online vendors.
Town officials claim that this change would “meet the residents’ current needs and future demands,” and that “there is a need to continue to provide for critical infrastructure.”
It’s the indirect insinuation that pickleball courts are “critical infrastructure” that has sparked outrage among some residents.
The Gilbert community is divided over the issue, with many expressing support or disapproval for the proposed taxes via social media. There is even a petition circling to shoot down the tax increase plan. Public policy research organization Goldwater Institute also sent a letter to the Gilbert Mayor citing that the infrastructure taxes defy the Arizona constitution. Read more about their dissent here. The final vote on the issue will be at the end of October.
This pickleball tax and Gilbert’s decision could set a precedent for other communities experiencing issues in the future. We know that there are many other pickleball hubs outside of Arizona, and a successful “pickleball” tax in Gilbert could lead to future pickleball-related taxes. Many argue that a fair solution is to implement pickleball taxes for players who want to use courts, rather than for all Gilbert residents.
No matter your opinion on the legality and equity of pickleball taxes on communities, it’s clear that this political pickleball conversation in Gilbert is likely the first of many. It also begs the question, if this tax hike is not specific to pickleball, why is pickleball at the center of the controversy?
Florida Proposes Pickleball in State Parks
Similarly, proposed pickleball courts incited debate amongst Florida residents in August.
Florida lawmakers and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection proposed a controversial initiative to build on and expand Florida state parks to include hotels and lodges, golf courses, and pickleball courts in an effort to make sites more “visitor-friendly”. The plan is referred to as the “Great Outdoors Initiative.”
Many are criticizing the initiative and emphasizing the need for state parks to remain committed to protecting and preserving Florida’s natural habitats, not aggravating them with new construction and development.
One side argues that the proposed additions will enhance Florida’s state parks, drive more revenue, and increase accessibility. The other side claims that these changes would be disruptive, environmentally damaging, and wrong.
The controversy has state lawmakers taking this plan “back to the drawing board.” After heated protests and public debate, there’s presently no definitive answer on what will happen next in Florida’s parks.
We’re likely to hear more about this in the near future, but as of now, what we’re most intrigued by is the way pickleball courts have become a leading and polarizing point in the headlines.
Pickleball Politics in US Communities
No matter where you stand politically or how you feel about pickleball’s political involvement in local communities, it’s clear that pickleball has become somewhat of a political pawn.
It’s wild to witness how a previously unheard of paddle sport like pickleball has grown enough to impact local elections and voters across the country. As pickleball continues to grow and precedence is established by these communities facing “pickleball issues”, we’re likely to see even more headlines about pickleball turning political.
What’s most interesting about pickleball in politics is that more often than not, the crux of these political issues is not pickleball-specific, but pickleball is in attention-grabbing headlines. Could it be that pickleball is a scapegoat rather than a true problem in these communities? That’s not for us to say, but the possibility does put pickleball in an interesting position moving forward. Could negative pickleball press lead to growing resistance to pickleball development? Could effective policies that are fair and just keep pickleball in a positive light within communities?
Especially as pickleball-related issues unfold where you live, it’s imperative to do your own research, remain informed about local elections, and advocate for what’s best for you and your neighbors.
Sources
Recent Comments