Lawmakers Discuss Tanning Tax to Fund Health Care

Lawmakers in Washington are looking for ways to bring in more cash and this time their sights are set on services that many of you use to look good.

Wednesday, December 9th 2009, 5:55 pm

By: News 9


By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Lawmakers in Washington are looking for ways to bring in more cash and this time their sights are set on services that many of you use to look good.

As Senate Democrats look for ways to boost health care revenues, some are tossing around the idea of taxing tanning salons.

According to the site, nationaljournal.com, the concept of an excise tax on tanning services, which could include salon walk-ins or tanning beds and sunlamps sold for residential use, was floated in a weekend senate staff meeting on the health bill.

Tanning salon owners in Oklahoma City have expressed disappointment and frustration with the idea.

"Right now we already pay a local sales tax, because the tanning industry is considered a retail business," said Christy Wright of Tan & Tone America. "We already pay our local and state taxes, so to increase the taxes on us, I feel like they're trying to discourage people from using our services that make them look and feel good."

The Senate is also debating a tax on plastic surgery procedures. That bill would put a 5 percent tax increase on elective cosmetic surgery beginning January 1. It could raise more than $5 billion over the next decade.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

December 9th, 2009

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024