ITA President’s Message – July 2010

While there is not much good to say about the tan tax, there have been some positive developments. As a result of the 250,000 industry e-mails that were sent to Congress and the accompanying media attention, our office has received a number of calls from elected officials and candidates for House and Senate offices offering support for the industry.

The tan tax e-mails have helped put a human face on our industry and because of this, elected officials want our help and want to help us. This has led to a change in the ITA’s tactics. In the past, we have kept our PAC activities low key. Over the years, we have been invited to many fundraisers and, to the extent our relatively small PAC allowed, attended as many as we could, but we didn’t talk about it.

In June, our industry came out of the shadows and took a lead role in raising money for National Republican Senatorial Committee, the committee charged with electing Republicans to the United States Senate. At their own expense, industry leaders from across the country flew to Buffalo and contributed $40,000 to this important fundraising organization. We did this because all 40 Republican Senators voted “no” to the tan tax.

I also know of people in our industry who are taking novel approaches in calling out elected officials who voted for the tan tax. Todd Borregard (Bay Pointe Tanning in Michigan) put posters in his stores labeling the tan tax the “The Peter Tax” after his Congressman Gary Peters who voted to pass it.

As we enter this critical election cycle, get involved with candidates in your areas. Support the ITA PAC so we can help make a difference nationwide. And above all, make sure you know where the candidates in your state and district stand on issues such as the tan tax and be sure to let them know where you stand.

Dan Humiston is the president of the Indoor Tanning Association