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IHRSA's lobbying fund secures US$0.95m
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) Public Policy Council pledged a total of $950,000 to its Industry Defense Fund during the association's 2009 fiscal year, which ended June 30.
The Public Policy Council (PPC), formerly the Industry Leadership Council, was established by US-based club operators to ensure that the country's fitness industry would have the financial resources necessary to protect itself against "unwarranted regulation and taxation".
Meredith Poppler, IHRSA's VP of industry growth, said: "In this economy, for clubs and IHRSA alike, we must maximize every dollar to grow, protect, and promote the industry.
"This is not just about the largest clubs in the industry pledging their support. It is about every club contributing what they can."
The funding was provided by the 54 members of the PPC with the view of promoting legislation that positively impacts the bottom lines of clubs across the country.
According to IHRSA, it had eighteen legislative wins and zero losses during 2009 on state level. A record the association attributes to being a direct result of the industry's financial support.
An IHRSA spokesperson added that forty-seven states are currently facing budget deficits - due to the recession - and taxing services, such as health clubs, could become an "attractive option for cash-strapped states".
Three fitness companies donated more than US$60,000 to the PPC during the year; Anytime Fitness, Curves and L.A. Fitness.
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