poll: Should RI Tax Soda?
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Do You Favor RI Implementing a Soda Tax?
- 296 vote - No, it is a regressive and unfair tax. We need to cut spending.
- 158 vote - Yes, it would raise needed revenues and help cut obesity issues
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."
What 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?
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Comments:
happy harry101
7:44am on Thursday, June 09, 2011
We do not have a revenue problem in this State we have a Spending problem with our so called leaders. The problem with government is its run by power hungry morons who want to tell you how to live your life all while they can't run their own.n n Government should stay OUT of our business!!!!!!!!!
Richard Durishin
1:46pm on Thursday, June 09, 2011
I believe that the proposed tax rate is $0.01 per ounce - or $0.16 per can of soda.
Is there any market research to show if $0.16 is a tipping point that would cause kids to decline purchase? What is the appropriate price increase to change behavior of kids here?
I am for the tax but only at such a level as gets kids to decline purchase (and I bet it needs to be about $0.50 per can). Until that point, it is just a revenue enhancer placed onto the backs (and bellies) of our kids and - ultimately - the health care system.
Nancy Thomas
3:25pm on Thursday, June 09, 2011
I did notice full page ads being taken out by health orgs. in support of this tax - I would redirect those funds into something more positive....as even the AHA used to say - or still does - everything in moderation....the commercial that is running saying that the mom can't buy her son sports drinks because they can no longer afford it is also misleading - an extra, has Harry, above, calculated, 16cents a can does not appear to be a tipping point. This worked for cigarettes when the tax literally was higher than the cost of the item....but not pennies....good theory on behavior change though.
Joe Mcnally
8:41pm on Thursday, June 09, 2011
Soda is already subject to sales tax in R.I. - that should be enough. No special beverage tax because someone in the nanny state has decided that it's not good for you. If you set a precedent with this law, you open the door to a special tax... on anything the nanny state decides they don't like. Next will be a special "red meat" tax, or a "potato chip" tax or a "sugar" tax. - This whole beverage tax thing is nothing but a power grab by people who think it's ok to tell others how they should live their lives.
Jimmy Jaxk
10:56pm on Thursday, June 09, 2011
@ "We do not have a revenue problem in this State we have a Spending problem with our so called leaders." Are you running for President or something. That is play book 101. What specific moron is telling you how to run your life? Government should stay out of business...You should say that to the 2M people who kept their jobs because of the stimulus package, or the 1M saved by the Automotive Bailout.
I would urge to pick up a copy of "The Economy for Dummies" book--you might just learn something.
Max Diesel
12:09pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
@Jimmy Jaxk
The alleged purpose of the soda tax is to curb behavior. Isn't that the government telling you how to run your life? You shouldn't criticize someone for spewing partisan lines and then spew your own partisan line in the same paragraph. It makes you look like the moron.