Laurie Gerber: Compete, Pout, Martyr and Shout
NY Governor Wants to Tax Soda
Filed under: In The News
New York State Gov. David Patterson proposed this week that all non-diet sodas be taxed, as part of his $121 million budget plan for 2009. Patterson's so called "obesity tax" would levy a 15 percent tax on carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola.The tax on soft drinks would bring in an estimated $404 million annually, and would not include diet drinks, milk, juice or bottled water. It would, however, apply to any beverage containing less than 70 percent fruit juice. So think lemonade, sweetened iced tea, and even some drinks marketed as juice.
The proposal is part of Patterson's efforts to close $15 billion deficit expected this year and next, and supposedly the funds collected from the tax would be applied to health-care initiatives. Much like the cigarette tax, the levy is intended to discourage people from indulging in bad habits that cause health problems. Obesity is liked to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
10 Dumbest Laws in America
Nevada: It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.
Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Colorado: It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence.
Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Virginia: Children are not to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Florida: A special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Wisconsin: Margarine may not be substituted for butter in restaurants unless it is requested by the customer.
Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Illinois: You may be arrested for vagrancy if you do not have at least one dollar bill on your person.
Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Georgia: Donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs.
Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Texas: A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.
Image couresty of Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.
This and more other dumb laws can be found at DumbLaws.com.
Being a native New Yorker, I understand Patterson's frustration. Year after year the budget deficit climbs higher, and year after year the state legislature delays approving the annual package because of political infighting, causing financial hardship for every institution that receives state funds -- institutions like schools.
Which, by the way, sometimes sell sodas as a way to offset budget issues. File that one under "things that make you go hmmmm."
What do you think? Should sugary drinks be taxed, or is this just another step toward a "nanny state?"
| Yes, people who drink them should be held accountable | |
|---|---|
| No, it's just one more step toward a nanny state | |
| I'm on the fence. After all, what's next? Taxing TV? |
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Strange Government Taxes
Find out the weirdest ways that the government has of taking your money.
-
Why a Soda Tax Would Be Ineffective in Obesity Prevention
In this edition of EmpowHER's "HER Week In Health", Bailey Mosier discusses a study done about women and regrets, a potential soda tax, and the use of flu vaccines by expecting mothers.
-
50p Tax Rate Cut: George Osborne's Budget
In the Budget, Chancellor George Osborne cuts the 50p tax rate. The new top rate of tax will be 45p. .
-
Get Free One-on-One Expert Tax Advice With TurboTax - Taxes Done Right
TurboTax — the #1-rated tax preparation software — just got even better with our free, one-on-one expert tax advice. TurboTax experts are knowledgeable, highly trained, US-based tax professionals, including CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and accountants. If you have a question, our tax experts are just a call or click away. http://turbotax.intuit.com/best-tax-software/why-choose-turbotax/free-tax-advice.jsp
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 4 of 4)
12-19-2008 @ 7:15AM
Joe Schmoe From Idaho said...I thought we already paid taxes on soft drinks here in New York. What I'd like to see is a heftier deposit charged on soft drink containers and that same amount put on ALL beverage containers whether it be for carbonated drinks or not. Unfortunately the pigs in this state think the world is their garbage can and think it's best to throw virtually every bit of trash out their car windows. Putting a ten cent deposit on every single beverage container would get the streets and highways cleaned up somewhat anyway. These goofy cops in this state are always too busy talking on their cell phones to be issuing tickets to all the litterbugs driving down the highways.
Reply
12-24-2008 @ 2:16AM
irisheyes1951 said...MAYBE THEY SHOULD TAKE LESSONS FROM A STATE LIKE FLORIDA. NO STATE INCOME TAX AND CIGARETTES ARE $3.40 A PACK. THEY MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT DOWN THERE. BY THE WAY I SMOKE, AND SINCE THEY HIKED THE TAX TO A DISGUSTING AMOUNT I GO OUT OF STATE AND BY THEM BY THE CARTON OR HAVE SOMEONE SEND THEM TO ME FROM THEIR STATE. I DIDN'T QUIT. THATS JUST BULLSH T. PEOPLE WILL NOT QUIT. JUST ANOTHER WAY TO PAY FOR RUGS FOR THE MANSION.
Reply
1-02-2009 @ 2:14PM
Hez said...I agree with a lot of you posting on here that we are taxed way too much for ridiculous things and the majority of the time, we don't even reap any of the benefits of it all. This is just another way for the rich to get richer. Here we are, middle class hard working people, just wanting and trying to make it through the crap, but the government screws us over every time. It's a shame. But taxing pop? That's one of the dumbest things I have ever heard of. There are tons of other things that cause weight gain so does that mean that we are eventually going to be taxed even more for all of those? This guy who proposed this is an idiot. You can't make people lose weight if they don't want to. This guy needs to realize that you can only change yourself, you can't change everyone just because you don't like them.
Reply