i have seen that too and while i agree that those attending the gym are probably saving the state money in the long run with their healthy habits, I do believe that if we all do our part, we can help our state resolve all the issues the same people that are protesting taxes complain about on a daily basis!

Andrea, how about you do my part for me?

Seriously, tho, there is one singular issue that the State of Maryland needs to address -- spending. I'm tired of legislators fumbling around trying to find the best way to reduce my standard of living, all in the name of their little pet projects.

Andrea,
Are you a communist?

Going to the gym is considered a luxury to O'Malley.

I am a gym member and it'll be no hardship for me to pay sales tax on my dues. I'm fortunate to be able to afford to pay the dues in the 1st place.

It won't affect my standard of living in any detectable way, so I'll not whine about it...

Yes, get spending under control, but heck. When was the last time you personally plowed your own streets or built a bridge or personally fed a homeless person, or paid a hospital bill for a child without health insurance or arrested a drunk driver or murderer or trimmed trees or planted flowers at the side of the road or paid a fee at the landfill for personal disposal or paid directly for fire protection or provided drug addiction counseling or helped determine if a person qualifies for SSI disability or monitored the health of our waterways or any other valuable service the state and local governments provide that have a positive impact on our community and our quality of life?

Ever hear of the common good?

It won't happen without taxes and as long as the structure is fair, stop complaining!

You want "tax cuts?" Get specific.

I workout at the Columbia Association gym where a similar campaign is being waged. From my discussions with my reps, non-profit orgs that offer health clubs such as the CA, the Y, the JCC, PG Parks, and others, there will not be a sales tax. This tax is aimed at elite, luxury gyms in the area where monthly dues top $100/mth.

There are still gyms that don't fall into either category -- that's what mine is. It's not a nonprofit, but dues are actually affordable.

My gym is not an elite, luxury gym and the implication is ridiculous. Why not tax "luxury "tax" on hair salons, tanning salons, day spas, etc.
These would considered elitist in most circles. Going a gym is not.

I am a single person who pays mor than my fair share for services I don't use, so don't lecture me about paying my fair share.

Jack: A hair salon is "considered elitist in most circles"? You're not saying that most people cut their own hair at home, perhaps with a Flow-Bee?

Sure "luxury" is subjective, but I'd like to think that most everyone gets haircuts.

Anonymous,
I stand corrected. I should have said manicures, etc. Most people can cut their own nails.

The Governor has put on a masterful campaign for his package. Beyond the roll out meetings, everyday highlighting another element, hasn't anyone noticed the demonstrators' signs? Opponents tot he Governor's plan have a variety of handmade, or specialized signs reflecting the individual's, or the group semntiment. proponents of the Governor's plan all have the same sign. It has a blank area at the top to be filled in by the supporter with their group name, and the pre-printed words "CAN'T WAIT LEGISLATE". The signs have appeared each day in teh SUN photos, as well as other papers owned by the Sun. Am I alone n noticing the coordination between these Governor and these groups?

Staying in shape saves the taxpayers money in reduced medicare/medicaid costs. In addition, a healthy lifestyle is something that should be encouraged. What's the first argument that the government makes when it wants to tax tobacco? It will be a deterant. Well, taxing gym memberships will be a deterant to joining a gym. Obesity is a risk factor in almost every major illness.

My suggestion would be as follows. Get up one weekday morning at 5 AM. Proceed to your nearest "luxary healh club" and take a look at the people there. Most of them probably have their office or work clothes with them. They got up early to hit the gym before work in order to keep themselves healthy. They are not there for a massage or facial; they are working out. Are these the poeple who need to be taxed MORE? Maybe the government should pass less feel good legislation (with no funding) and adopt a "healthy spending" diet. Perhaps the same way people keep their bodies permanently lean is the same way the government could stay permanently lean. No crash diets here.......fix the problem by cutting spending.