A majority of Kansas senators voted Monday to give health clubs tax-exempt status. A YMCA is more like a church in its mission and outreach. KUDOS to Sen. Caryn Tyson for seeing the sham this bill is with her “no” vote.
Senators reasoned health clubs are at a financial disadvantage to YMCA and YWCA health organizations which because of their non-profit designation are not required to pay property taxes.
Sen. Jeff Melcher, R-Leawood, said if the YMCA organization could not be taxed, then neither should private clubs. The Christian-based organization, Melcher said, is not “serving some community interest,” but “competing with the private sector.”
Melcher is wrong on both counts.
The YMCA organization was formed more than 150 years ago with the initial intent of providing temporary shelter to the poor.
In the last 100-plus years, the mission of the YMCA has branched out to include healthy activities, including water-based lifesaving courses, swim classes, nutrition-based classes, CPR training, exercise classes and much more.
Childcare is free for parents who participate in activities.
At the Pittsburg YMCA, a preschool is available for children ages 3-5.
The Y in Pittsburg also has more than 400 volunteers who help manage the facility and provide instruction.
It’s also the headquarters for the town’s Big Brother/Big Sister mentoring program.
For those not able to afford a typical membership — an average $30 a month for a family — assistance is given. No one is denied membership or the ability to participate in a program because of financial limitations. This is made possible from contributions and the United Way campaign.
The acronym, after all, stands for Young Men’s and Women’s Christian Association.
The thinking behind granting tax-exempt status is that churches and other non-profits such as Hope Unlimited and Thrive Allen County work for the public benefit rather than personal profit. Taxpayers support these institutions in exchange for the public good they provide.
Health clubs, such as Curves, Bally Fitness Club and Gold’s Gym, are in the business to make money by getting people to join their programs.
There’s no altruism built into the formula.
With the bill now headed to the Kansas House, let’s hope it gets the punching bag.
— Susan Lynn
