A proposed tax on sugary beverages is still being pushed by the state Health Commissioner, but one local Assemblyman says that if it passes, the cost of powdered drink mixes such as Kool-Aid, Gatorade and iced tea would nearly double. Because the law would add a "penny per ounce" tax on the total quantity of beverage produced by added sweeteners, an average canister of powdered lemonade could jump in price from $4.19 to $8.03, simply because of how much "drink" it yields. And Assemblyman Michael Benjamin (D-Bronx) says poor people would suffer most. more ›

With state lawmakers unwilling to pass a penny-per-ounce tax on non-diet sodas and other sugary drinks, most people have given up hope that the so-called fat tax will roll into this year's budget. But State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines—whom you may recall from such classic videos as Soda Vs Milk—is holding on to the dream! In a profile in today's Times, Daines goes into "polemical overdrive," in hopes that the tax "might be revived during 11th-hour budget negotiations, when lawmakers are desperate." In Daines's eyes, the issue is just as much about economic disparity as it is about obesity: more ›

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. more ›