Posts tagged as:

soda

Forget Soda: NY Moves to Fill Budget Hole with Wine

27 June 2010

After trying for two years – and gaining support from New York City Mayor Bloomberg (I) – New York Governor Paterson (D) had to think that there was a chance to get a soda tax pushed through the legislature. His proposal to add a penny per ounce tax to the cost of sodas was met [...]

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Philadelphia Real Estate Taxes On Their Way Up

14 May 2010

I woke up this morning to grumblings on Facebook about Philadelphia’s budget deal: a “temporary” 9.9% increase in property taxes. The “temporary” (cause who really believes it will be temporary?) increase is an effort to plug a $150 million deficit in the city’s budget. The boost was approved by City Council and Mayor Nutter is [...]

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Soda Survey Says Taxes Need to be Big

5 April 2010

A study out of the Rand Corporation has concluded that “small taxes” on soda do little to reduce soft drink consumption or prevent childhood obesity. Economist Roland Sturm and his teams analyzed how more than 7,300 fifth graders ate, drank and moved. The children were asked, as part of the study, how many sodas and [...]

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“The Onion” Coverage of the Soda Tax

14 March 2010

It turns out that more states and localities are considering a soda tax to raise money fight obesity. For a laugh, check out The Onion‘s coverage.

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Sweet, Sweet Taxes

27 February 2010

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (D) made headlines all over the country this week when signed a bill adding sales tax to candy and soda. The bill was one of nine bills meant to address the state’s $1.5 billion budget shortfall. The bill, as in other states like Pennsylvania, is being touted as an elimination of [...]

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Fix the Tax Code Friday: Best for Who?

31 July 2009

This week, there’s been a considerable focus on a number of proposed “sin taxes” including those on soda, cosmetic surgery and plastic bags. In theory, sin taxes are meant to prevent certain kinds of behavior – whether or not they accomplish it is a whole other story. I realize that nobody wants to pay extra [...]

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More on Health Care Reform: Congress Apparently Sweet on Soda Tax

28 July 2009

Though the health care reform bill has officially been tabled until after the break, there is still work to do in Congress before a vote can be scheduled. At the top of the list? Find a way to pay for the bill. The Senate Finance Committee has considered a number of funding options but nothing [...]

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What Do Taxpayers Really Think About a Soda Tax?

13 May 2009

I received in the post today, almost on cue, a Special Report by the Tax Foundation which reported on, among other things, how folks felt about a tax on sugary drinks. Here are some of their findings: Adults are generally opposed to a tax on sugary drinks (59%). Those with a high school diploma or [...]

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“Fat Tax” On the Scene Again – This Time, In the Senate

13 May 2009

Argh. Can our debate on health care and taxes get any worse at this point? After New York tried – and failed – to tax sugary soft drinks as part of a so-called “fat tax”, you’d think the matter would be put to rest. But that’s far from how our Senate works. If it doesn’t [...]

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