NY Gym Tax?

dvsness · 02-10-2009, 01:33 PM

Arguing that a good workout in at the gym can be taxing enough, the governor's plan to raise taxes on health clubs is gaining some strong opposition from the fitness industry and enthusiasts throughout the state. NY1's Health and Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel filed the following report.

Governor David Paterson has proposed to boost the sales tax on health club fees and services four percent to raise more money to fix New York's ailing economy. Yet many gym members would be feeling the burn in their wallets.

"I think it is ridiculous. I think you should tax fat food and tax pollution, something that is more negative," says gym member Susan Cappozzoli.

"If anything, they should be subsidizing gym memberships and decreasing gym memberships so you could encourage people to go to the gym and avoid obesity and other health issues,? says gym member Joel Feliciano.

Analysts from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association say an additional tax would be just yet another financial hurdle for new fitness club memberships, which have already decreased in some areas because of the economy.

The fitness industry is also reacting by lobbying against the tax in Albany. Clubs like Equinox have been emailing members on-line, encouraging them to ask lawmakers to block the tax.

"We think the tax is just a big disconnect from Governor Paterson's direct state policy of promoting a healthy lifestyle," says Equinox chief operating officer Scott Rosen.

Paterson previously said he would tax sugary sodas to help fight obesity, but some wonder whether taxing gym memberships will undo his health advocacy.

"New York State spent $1.6 billion last year for health care costs for obesity. To have this tax discourages maintaining a well-balanced diet and health and fitness," says Senior Vice President David Kastin of Town Sports International. "I would double up the tax on sodas and leave fitness clubs alone."

State health officials are defending the tax proposal, which is still subject to approval by the State Legislature.

"The tax on health club memberships is something we're doing to raise revenue. There's plenty of other ways as [State Health Commissioner Richard] Daines said, that folks can get out and exercise, particularly children," says State Deputy Health & Human Services Secretary Joe Baker.

Rosen says that argument leaves a lot out of the equation.

"Many of our members can't do it on their own," he says. "They need our energy or our space, or our equipment or our staff and our trainers, our group fitness programs. So it's not just about, 'Where do I exercise?'"

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=93706

cxm · 02-10-2009, 01:40 PM

Wow...that really sucks if it happens. Awesome way of helping with the obesity problem in this country.

gekkoboy14 · 02-10-2009, 01:40 PM

taxing fat food is a terrible idea

Doughboy · 02-10-2009, 01:45 PM

I can't wait to vote this POS out.

AConrad00 · 02-10-2009, 01:45 PM

wow that is ridiculous and i agree with just about everything the people said in the article

unbelievable!

SHOWTIME · 02-10-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AConrad00

wow that is ridiculous and i agree with just about everything the people said in the article

unbelievable!

haha awesome idea!

Lets tax it more and give people MORE reasons to avoid a gym and fitness..lol

dvsness · 02-10-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekkoboy14

taxing fat food is a terrible idea

Why? We already are going to tax non-diet sodas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doughboy

I can't wait to vote this POS out.

It's not like we even voted him in!!

joe81 · 02-10-2009, 01:51 PM

Patterson is out of control.

joeflex73 · 02-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Completely absurd.

The government won't tax things that are bad like fast food and soda as hard. They want us to be fat. More medical jobs and more medication to dole out, shorter life span also means less social security they have to pay.

soundcheck129 · 02-10-2009, 01:52 PM

Ridiculous, aren't NYers taxed enough?

What happened to the "obesity tax"?

bloodsimple1234 · 02-10-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsness

Why? We already are going to tax non-diet sodas.

It's not like we even voted him in!!

yea what was he thinkin,something like 17 or 18% was the first I heard,lol.

don't forget haircuts too!

~~Aries~~ · 02-10-2009, 01:55 PM

Complete and utter bull****. Tax this, tax that! Just another way to rape the taxpayers for government overspending. I'm really just about sick of it all.

gekkoboy14 · 02-10-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsness

Why? We already are going to tax non-diet sodas.

It's not like we even voted him in!!

soda is more likely to make people fat then fat foods.. BTW what consists of fatty foods?

Doughboy · 02-10-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsness

Why? We already are going to tax non-diet sodas.

It's not like we even voted him in!!

I know, I just can't wait to him out, I have no more money for you Mr Patterson.

yourname2221 · 02-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekkoboy14

taxing fat food is a terrible idea

?????????

gekkoboy14 · 02-10-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourname2221

?????????

yes thats right i want my steak,eggs,cheese, whole milk

alexx33 · 02-10-2009, 02:01 PM

what does patterson care, it's not like he can "SEE" the effects??

lol. i'm sorry i had too, he's a complete idiot. i loved the SNL show they did on him a few months ago, it was priceless. i lived in NY for 20 years but that state is so out of control with politicans that i moved that. thank god i did.

joe81 · 02-10-2009, 02:03 PM

I hope rudy runs against Patterson.

dvsness · 02-10-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekkoboy14

taxing fat food is a terrible idea

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekkoboy14

soda is more likely to make people fat then fat foods.. BTW what consists of fatty foods?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekkoboy14

yes thats right i want my steak,eggs,cheese, whole milk

When we're talking about fat foods, it's not the ones you listed. It's McDonald's.

killerofgiants · 02-10-2009, 02:10 PM

i already pay enough for my gym, i really dont need to pay more b/c of this numbnut.

gekkoboy14 · 02-10-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsness

When we're talking about fat foods, it's not the ones you listed. It's McDonald's.

typical meal at mcdonalds is higher in carbs than in fat..

chasinSKURT · 02-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Incredible... I hate this state. There are so many economic factors that make this a horrible idea.

Beejis60 · 02-10-2009, 02:17 PM

This is ****ing bull****!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundcheck129

Ridiculous, aren't NYers taxed enough?

Yes.

nni · 02-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsness

Arguing that a good workout in at the gym can be taxing enough, the governor's plan to raise taxes on health clubs is gaining some strong opposition from the fitness industry and enthusiasts throughout the state. NY1's Health and Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel filed the following report.

Governor David Paterson has proposed to boost the sales tax on health club fees and services four percent to raise more money to fix New York's ailing economy. Yet many gym members would be feeling the burn in their wallets.

"I think it is ridiculous. I think you should tax fat food and tax pollution, something that is more negative," says gym member Susan Cappozzoli.

"If anything, they should be subsidizing gym memberships and decreasing gym memberships so you could encourage people to go to the gym and avoid obesity and other health issues,? says gym member Joel Feliciano.

Analysts from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association say an additional tax would be just yet another financial hurdle for new fitness club memberships, which have already decreased in some areas because of the economy.

The fitness industry is also reacting by lobbying against the tax in Albany. Clubs like Equinox have been emailing members on-line, encouraging them to ask lawmakers to block the tax.

"We think the tax is just a big disconnect from Governor Paterson's direct state policy of promoting a healthy lifestyle," says Equinox chief operating officer Scott Rosen.

Paterson previously said he would tax sugary sodas to help fight obesity, but some wonder whether taxing gym memberships will undo his health advocacy.

"New York State spent $1.6 billion last year for health care costs for obesity. To have this tax discourages maintaining a well-balanced diet and health and fitness," says Senior Vice President David Kastin of Town Sports International. "I would double up the tax on sodas and leave fitness clubs alone."

State health officials are defending the tax proposal, which is still subject to approval by the State Legislature.

"The tax on health club memberships is something we're doing to raise revenue. There's plenty of other ways as [State Health Commissioner Richard] Daines said, that folks can get out and exercise, particularly children," says State Deputy Health & Human Services Secretary Joe Baker.

Rosen says that argument leaves a lot out of the equation.

"Many of our members can't do it on their own," he says. "They need our energy or our space, or our equipment or our staff and our trainers, our group fitness programs. So it's not just about, 'Where do I exercise?'"

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=93706

tax the fit, and bloomburg wants to tax the fat, awesome!!!!!

tax the upstaters for riding on our damn backs!!!!

B1GinNY82307 · 02-10-2009, 02:42 PM

Wow!

This is complete BS...

I can't wait to move out of NY....only in due time.....

EDIT:
Though...then I would have to change my name!

nni · 02-10-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1GinNY82307

Wow!

This is complete BS...

I can't wait to move out of NY....only in due time.....

EDIT:
Though...then I would have to change my name!

good, move!!!! now we can charge you an exodus tax!!!!!

i should be in charge!!!!

B1GinNY82307 · 02-10-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nni

good, move!!!! now we can charge you an exodus tax!!!!!

i should be in charge!!!!

...

dvsness · 02-10-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekkoboy14

typical meal at mcdonalds is higher in carbs than in fat..

It's not FAT CONTENT it's FOODS THAT TEND TO MAKE YOU FAT OR UNHEALTHY.

FFS you're difficult. They can't add tax to things like eggs and milk since they are WIC approved.

ksujosh6 · 02-10-2009, 03:14 PM

i expected more blind jokes

gekkoboy14 · 02-10-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsness

It's not FAT CONTENT it's FOODS THAT TEND TO MAKE YOU FAT OR UNHEALTHY.

FFS you're difficult. They can't add tax to things like eggs and milk since they are WIC approved.

why not tax subway? The insulin response from bread is worse than chicken nuggets.