My gym sent an email to its members about the proposed tax that would impact health club memberships and personal training sessions. In economy, people can barely afford their gym memberships to begin with — imposing a tax will surely cause some to cancel their memberships and convince others to not bother joining at all.
As it says in the letter, We strongly believe that our Members should not be taxed for living a healthy lifestyle. I couldn’t agree more. I am outraged.
Here is the rest of the message:
| Â Â | Â Dear Member,IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association), The Sports Club/LA and Reebok Sports Club/NY need your help with opposing the proposed New York State Health Club dues sales tax! As the Regional General Manager in New York and a member of IHRSA, I wanted to share with you that, due to a $15 billion budget deficit this year, Governor David Paterson is proposing an expansion of the sales tax to include health club dues and services such as personal training sessions. We strongly believe that our Members should not be taxed for living a healthy lifestyle.
On behalf of our Clubs and IHRSA, I encourage you to speak out and exercise your right to continue your healthy lifestyle. For more information and to voice your opposition to the tax, please log onto the healthclubs website. |
Um, way to increase the obesity epidemic Governor Patterson. Woo hoo?
This is where you can click to speak out against the health club tax.Â
And Sara made a good point – they should instead double the tax on fast food! THAT will send the right message.
What do you think about a tax on those who choose to live a healthy lifestyle? Are you outraged as well?
10 comments on Help oppose the NY State Health Club tax.
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Mallory
February 2, 2009 at 12:19 pm (15 years ago)I personally feel that NY is just getting WAY too healthy. Raise taxes and put a stop to this before it gets out of hand!!
roberto
February 2, 2009 at 10:45 pm (15 years ago)Then the gov’t will ask themselves why NY has a high obesity rate, which can lead to higher medical costs… And then the gov’t will try to figure out a way to fix healthcare. It’s just a dumb idea.
Patterson has come up with terrible ideas for spending and taxing (both ways – cut and increase) that will make me not vote for him. Currently, I’m not voting for Patterson if he runs for the gov’s office, I just can’t see myself doing it.
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)
February 2, 2009 at 11:01 pm (15 years ago)Ugh, I’d be upset as well. I’ll click right now to speak out against the tax. If New York allows this, other states will soon follow. NO thanks. I like the fast food tax idea!
Dori
February 3, 2009 at 7:01 am (15 years ago)Heather – thanks! I plan on crafting a good letter when I can devote some time to it this week. It makes me so mad.
Roberto – Excellent point. Cost of NY State health care as a result of this will definitely go in the letter!
Kathie Sirkin
February 12, 2009 at 10:32 am (15 years ago)Healthy and active adults are saving NY tax dollars in the millions. It is another idiot idea from Albany. Why not issue bicycle licences for all bicycle riders, especially delivery bikes in NYC which run citizens over and are pedaled by illegal immigrants. This would raise millions in licensing fees. Taxing Health Clubs which are not a luxury but a measure to CUT DOWN hospital costs, old age homes and save millions upon millions of dollar for the State is not well thought out. Tax smokers, drinkers, drivers, and cut down Medicaid to immigrants who do not pay tax dollars.
Kathie Sirkin
Kathie Sirkin
February 12, 2009 at 10:36 am (15 years ago)Another great idea from Albany. The highest rate of obesity, health disease and diabetes from adults who do not go to the health clubs and do not exercise.
Why tax the healthy members who take care of themselves, physically and mentally and save the State millions of dollars in hospital and long-term age treatment centers and mental health issues.
Another concept, if NY State and Patterson need to tax any group, tax the obese, fast-food stores, cigarettes and liquor.
Dori
February 12, 2009 at 11:08 am (15 years ago)Kathie – Thanks for your comments. You are so right. Hopefully Governor Patterson takes this into consideration. It really is ridiculous and makes me so angry.