http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/fitness-tax-reveals-two-sides-of-dc/2014/06/23/7623b48c-faef-11e3-b1f4-8e77c632c07b_story.html
'The proposed fitness tax came out of a local tax review commission that sought more money for the city coffers...'.
'Rather than increasing rates for services that already were taxed, the panel suggested that the city broaden its base...'.
'Although the D.C. Council dismissed a plan to tax haircuts, Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) saw no issue with taxing gyms.'
'Mendelson said the sales tax would affect a base that can withstand the blow, saying, “I do think that people who have memberships are probably better able to pay this sales tax.”'