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Philadelphia became the first major American city with a soda tax on Thursday despite a multimillion-dollar campaign by the beverage industry to block it.
The City Council gave final approval to a 1.5 cent-per-ounce tax on sugary and diet beverages.
Only Berkeley, California, had a similar law. Soda tax proposals have failed in more than 30 cities and states in recent years. Such plans are typically criticized as disproportionately affecting the poor, who are more likely to consume sugary drinks.
But Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney sold the council on the idea with a plan to spend most of the estimated $90 million in new tax revenue next year to pay for prekindergarten, community schools and recreation centers.
"Thanks to the tireless advocacy of educators, parents, rec center volunteers and so many others,Philadelphia made a historic investment in our neighborhoods and in our education system today," the mayor said after the vote.
The tax, which passed 13-4, is a hard-fought win for the city. The soda industry spent millions of dollars in advertising against the proposal, arguing the tax would be costly to consumers. The plan also attracted national attention and dollars, with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Texas billionaires John and Laura Arnold, advocates for less consumption of sugary drinks, funding ads in support.
I hate that infantile term "Sugary drinks" it sounds dumb. Does this mean they will be taxing apple, orange , and cranberry juice as well? There is more sugar in apple juice than there is Coke
I hate that infantile term "Sugary drinks" it sounds dumb. Does this mean they will be taxing apple, orange , and cranberry juice as well? There is more sugar in apple juice than there is Coke
Who knows. They're just bored. Thinking new ways on how they should tax hard working people. As if they don't get enough money as it is.
They probably are going to mask the reason of taxing by saying people will consume less sugary drinks.
Nutritional views aside for the moment, all this action does is to demonstrate that a clique of politicians, pandering to any special cause from class warfare to "New Puritanism", are desperate for new sources of loot, preferably from someone outside their jurisdiction; one wonders why they didn't try to provide some sort of exception for their own constituency.
One has to wonder how soon coffee will be added to the "Index of Taxable Pleasures"
Last edited by 2nd trick op; 06-16-2016 at 05:29 PM..
"Sugary drinks?" How is diet pop a "sugary" drink? And what's next?
This is nothing more than another money grab, as evidenced by what it's earmaked to pay for. And a huge one, given that it will add an extra buck to a 2-liter bottle.
Believe me, Coke and Pepsi paid for a hell of a lot more ads and a whole ground war of people walking around with clickboards getting people to put their names down.
But yes, this tax is aimed squarely at poor people. Poor people far and away eat the most unhealthy and drink the most soda and ice tea. The city is testing group.
Quote:
Philadelphia's proposed sugary drinks tax would prevent approximately 36,000 cases of obesity and save $197 million by 2025, according to a non-peer-reviewed analysis from Harvard University.
The research brief also projects that the tax would prevent 730 deaths over 10 years and lead to 2280 fewer diabetes cases per year.
"Greater health benefits will accrue to low-income consumers who on average consume more [sugar-sweetened beverages] than higher income consumers," the report noted.
so in 10 years, we will see. The money is going to provide pre-k for low income residents, to fix playgrounds and rec centers, and other public projects. I personally don't care. I don't drink that much soda.
Believe me, Coke and Pepsi paid for a hell of a lot more ads and a whole ground war of people walking around with clickboards getting people to put their names down.
But yes, this tax is aimed squarely at poor people. Poor people far and away eat the most unhealthy and drink the most soda and ice tea. The city is testing group.
so in 10 years, we will see. The money is going to provide pre-k for low income residents, to fix playgrounds and rec centers, and other public projects. I personally don't care. I don't drink that much soda.
There you have it folks. Gawd help us if everyone adopts the I don't care because it doesn't affect me attitude.
Who knows. They're just bored. Thinking new ways on how they should tax hard working people. As if they don't get enough money as it is.
They probably are going to mask the reason of taxing by saying people will consume less sugary drinks.
Because the middle class workers will feel the pain. The rich working people don't care, and those on assistance don't pay it, so the middle class gets socked again.
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And what's next?
