Should D.C. sales tax be extended to more services?

D.C. Council members, seeking to avoid more cuts in services and jobs, are in the early stages of considering a series of tax increases to generate more revenue for the city and close a $550 million budget gap. One idea, suggested by several advocacy organizations, calls for the city to extend the 6 percent sales tax to more than 25 services, including health clubs, tanning salons, kennels, carpet cleaning, private investigation and day spas. Even before it has been formally introduced, the proposal is generating lots of anger, especially on Twitter, from businesspeople who provide those services.