Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
With Liberty & GTL For All: Rep. Grimm Rewarded For Fighting Tanning Tax
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 20, 2011
Modified Jul 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 20, 2011
Modified Jul 20, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Trigger happy former FBI agent, "hedge fund guy" and current Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm has banked much of his career opposing "Obamacare." As part of this opposition, Grimm has sponsored a bill to repeal the "tanning tax" that currently imposes a 10% levy on indoor tanning salons that is projected to raise $2.5 billion in two years, and will help offset the cost of health care reform. Now, the Indoor Tanning Association has cut Grimm a $500 contribution check for his efforts, and if there was any doubt before, Grimm appears to be deep in the pocket of Big Bronze.
"He came to our association, said he was against taxing one specific industry for a special project," ITA president Daniel Humiston told the Daily News. His organization was "founded to protect the freedom of individuals to acquire a suntan, via natural or artificial light." Amen, brothers. When will Democrats learn that if King George couldn't impose the "Tawny Tariff of 1773," why would they be able to do it in 2011?
Grimm himself was modest about his nobel stance on the practice of giving oneself cancer (that is taxed in other ways): "I made a campaign promise to help small business by repealing Obamacare, of which the tan tax was a part." If you can wipe the tears of joy from your face long enough to GTL today, we recommend that you do it indoors, like nature intended.
Tagged
cancer
congressman grimm
representative grimm
staten island
tanning
tanning beds
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .