New York Soda Tax Back From The Dead!

If Governor Paterson has his way, baby's favorite bottle could become a luxury item!

In December, Governor Paterson floated the idea of an 18% tax non-diet soft drinks, as part of a plan to close the $3 billion budget gap and perhaps influence New Yorkers to choose healthier beverages. Then the beverage industry opened up a can of whoop-ass, and Paterson backed off, explaining that "often publicity is as important as legislation." Now, perhaps inspired by a 3 cent tax on soda being considered in Washington, Paterson has revived his own soda tax dreams.

Appearing on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC yesterday, Paterson said, "I promise I will put (the soda tax) back in my budget address and give the Legislature another chance to do it. But you can't keep voting down the ways to create revenues and then saying you don't want to make cuts." Paterson made the remarks in response to Democratic Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries's recent call for a soda tax, and told Lehrer, "[Jeffries] is right about different ways we can enhance revenues if the Legislature will agree to it. But he's totally wrong because I'm talking about payments that must be met by Dec. 15th."

Paterson also stressed that the state's budget crisis really is a nightmare, and complained that nobody's listening to him: "I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to say this before people understand and are persuaded that we have to act now." Got it, New York? You've got until December 15th to come up with the money, or basically Christmas is going to be canceled.

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By John Del Signore in Food on October 21, 2009 2:09 PM

Comments [rss]

al oof

why not diet soda? that shit isn't good for you.

but anyway, they should tax the stockmarket transactions. a penny on each transaction, half a penny, adds up really really fast.

gothamguy

If NYS tried to tax trades just because the exchange is physically located here, it would raise so many legal issues that it would cost more to litigate all the lawsuits than the state would ever see in revenue.

whitecastlerock

Tax the people to death before the soda kills them...

gothamguy

Why single out soda? It isn't about health, because he proposed a tax on gym memberships at the same time he first raised this. Seems like you would want to encourage people to go to a gym is you cared about their health.

So, if it is just a money grab why not just impose a beverage tax? Or a food tax? There should probably also be a tax on crossing the street, because people who walk obviously don't use mass transit and are depriving the state of its money. We could also impose a crime-victim tax. I mean, if you have to call the cops and have them arrest someone, you are costing the state money. What about a tax on our taxes? The more tax you pay the more your tax tax would be!

Think of the possibilities.

This, Gov. Patterson, is why nobody likes you.

The Lord

The last time I checked, Gluttony was a sin.

hotstepper

since we're taxing fattening drinks, can we also enact a double-seat charge for fatties on the subway?

militza

I agree! I'm petite and people feel they can just squish to their heart's content.

tijuanatornado

Some airlines do it already....

Since we're on the subject, how about lowering insurance fees to non-fatties and charging a premium on insurance to fatties? Just like it is for smokers and non-smokers

jazlow

ummm... diet drinks do not equal healthy drinks.

abcohen

what shit!!!! Why dont you just take another 5% from everyone's paycheck!!!! You're going to make the state of New York - someplace where we dont want to live (or atleast we'll start to shop in new jersey)

terrible idea! terrible governor!

Mordicai

Heck yes. Make it a 100% tax. Corn subsidies making cola cheaper than WATER? Is messed up.

Mr. Shankly

Kill the subsidies, the source of the problem.

Guest

We should just kill all humans that believe forcing other humans to do their will through taxes and laws will actually make us all better people.

hotstepper

cowboy is off the reservation.

Guest

Cowboy is tired of government control over every facet of our lives. One law is natural: Do not violate another human. All other laws are dictated by government in an effort to control us. Plain and simple.