poll: Should RI Tax Soda?
Thursday, June 09, 2011
One of the big debates this year at the State House is a proposed bill by Edith Ajello (D) of Providence to establish a tax on soda. The pay off could be big. It is estimated that the tax would generate $28 million in new revenue per year and help combat obesity.
Opponents rail against the proposal as being a regressive tax. Store owners are worried that consumers will take their business to Massachusetts and Connecitcut stores to save. Moreover, they argue Rhode Island needs to cut spending rather than hit consumers with new taxes.
The beverages that would be taxed are defined as: "any nonalcoholic beverage, whether naturally or artificially flavored, whether carbonated or noncarbonated, sold for human consumption containing sugar, corn syrup or any other high calorie sweetener."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWhat is your view? While RI is in a budget crunch is this the way to go? And, the issue of obesity is growing and the impact of health and health costs is spiraling and a tax the right way to change behavior?