Bottom Line: Planet Fitness lobbies up amid culture war controversy
Health
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck registered to lobby for Planet Fitness on policies and regulations related to health and wellness, data privacy, contracts, fees and subscriptions. One of the lobbyists on the account is Andrew Usyk, who previously worked on Capitol Hill as a staffer to Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
Over the past two months, the ubiquitous gym giant has navigated backlash, boycotts and bomb threats since it canceled the membership of a woman who took a photo of another member and complained about a “man in women’s locker room shaving.” Planet Fitness doubled down on its nondiscrimination policy, which allows members to use facilities, including locker rooms, that align with their gender identity, and said it canceled the woman’s membership because she violated their policy against taking photos of other patrons in the locker room.
Banking
The Bank Policy Institute, the trade association representing the country’s biggest banks, hired Forbes Tate to lobby on issues related to the banking industry. The lobbyist on the account is Ed Hill, who was senior vice president and head of government affairs for the Bank Policy Institute before he joined the firm.
PNC hired Harbinger Strategies to lobby on issues impacting the financial services industry. One of the lobbyists on the account is John Leganski, who joined the firm in January after more than a decade on Capitol Hill, most recently as deputy chief of staff to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
Education
Northeastern University hired Holland & Knight to lobby on regulations impacting higher education. Lauren Maddox, former assistant secretary for communications and outreach at the Education Department, will work on the account.
Sports
The United States Soccer Federation hired Accelerate Strategies to lobby on issues related to SafeSport Reform, the World Cup and U.S. soccer. One of the lobbyists on the account is Meleana "Mana" Shim, a former National Women's Soccer League player who now leads the U.S. Soccer Federation’s safety task force.
Date: |
Filter
-
Planet Fitness's New Chief Steps Into a Culture-War Storm
The gym chain contends with a boycott and bomb threats as it stands by its inclusive locker-room policy.The Wall Street Journal - World -
Election battle lines drawn up
Plus, a row over graduate visas could leave UK universities fighting for their futureFinancial Times - World -
New Miss USA crowned after former titleholders resign amid controversy
After both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA gave up their titles earlier his month, the Miss USA Organization has crowned a successor.CBS News - Top stories -
Savannah Gankiewicz is sworn in as the new Miss USA amid resignation controversy
Savannah Gankiewicz steps into the role of Miss USA after Noelia Voigt resigned last week, citing bullying within the organization. Miss Teen USA also resigned.Los Angeles Times - Entertainment -
Wife, daughter of Chiefs owner back Harrison Butker amid controversy
Tavia and Gracie Hunt, the wife and daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, backed Harrison Butker, the team’s kicker, after a commencement speech he delivered about women and family roles drew controversy. In an address last Saturday at ...The Hill - Politics - NFL -
US lab-grown meat bans criticised as culture war ‘own goal’
Producer warns America is ceding a competitive advantage, just as it did with semiconductorsFinancial Times - Business -
The war over nursing homes is heating up
Staffing mandates are just the beginningMarketWatch - Business -
Natural Gas Up Amid Lower-Than-Expected Inventory Build
Natural gas prices rose for a second consecutive day as U.S. storage grew less than expected.The Wall Street Journal - World -
Putin tightens up his war machine with cabinet shakeup
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s post-inauguration cabinet reshuffle and military purge has raised speculation that he’s looking to consolidate power as he prepares for a much longer war in Ukraine. Putin named economist Andrei Belousov as ...The Hill - Politics -
How Spirit AeroSystems fits into Boeing's rebound plan
Boeing is in talks to buy back Spirit AeroSystems, one of the biggest aerostructure companies in the world.CNBC - Business
More from The Hill
-
Arizona poll finds trouble for Biden vs. Trump
A new poll shows some trouble for President Biden's chances against former President Trump in Arizona — a state that Biden carried in 2020. A new CBS News poll found Trump leading Biden by 5 percentage points in Arizona, with 52 percent support ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden -
Rubio predicts Trump 'won't get to sign' federal election ban
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Sunday predicted former President Trump will not have the opportunity to sign a national abortion ban even if he is reelected and wanted to, arguing the issue will never enough support in Congress. When asked on NBC ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
Child care can cost twice as much as rent in these 11 states: See the numbers
It’s no secret that child care is expensive – but in some U.S. states, it can cost at least twice as much as rent for families with more than one kid.The Hill - Politics -
Ron Johnson says he doesn't trust polls showing Trump beating Biden in Wisconsin
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Sunday brushed off the recent polls showing President Biden's slight lead over former President Trump in his home state of Wiscoin, noting he does not trust early polling. "Well, as somebody who has run statewide three ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden -
Biden decries Gaza humanitarian crisis at Morehouse, winning applause
President Biden decried the "humanitarian crisis in Gaza" in his commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday, which marked his first appearance on a college campus since student protests erupted nationwide over the Israel-Hamas war. ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden