Pittsburgh Considers Tax on Soda, Energy Drinks....

[GBMelBlount]

Pittsburgh Considers Tax On Soda, Energy Drinks

Posted: 10:42 pm EDT March 16,2010Updated: 6:05 pm EDT March 17,2010

PITTSBURGH -- Most stores have entire aisles dedicated to sports drinks and soda. Now, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is showing an interest in the idea of adding a tax to these drinks.

A tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is already is being considered in Philadelphia.

Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLive received a copy of a letter Ravenstahl sent to Philadelphia's mayor this week.

"Like Philadelphia and many other cities across the nation, Pittsburgh continues to seek policies that encourage our residents to maintain healthy lifestyles," Ravenstahl wrote, according to the Trib.

Pamela Rodrigues, who had just finished shopping at a Shadyside grocery store, liked the proposal.

"I just think it's great, because it's taxing ... As America moves towards trying to be more health-conscious, we are taxing people as a way to help them stop," Rodrigues said.

But Mark Geherian countered, "There's no need to be taxing that. You tax booze, cigarette, gas ... leave the pop alone."

The proposed tax would be 2 cents on every ounce.

That means the tax would add 40 cents to the cost of a 20-ounce bottle of pop and 24 cents to the price of a 12-ounce can. It would add $2.88 to the price of 12-packs and $1.35 to the cost of a 2-liter bottle.

The mayor believes that would generate $25 million to help Pittsburgh's troubled pension fund.

He said he is open to any ideas to raise revenue in the city without raising property taxes.

“I'll pursue any option that there is consensus, that we have the ability to build consensus around, and if the sugary drink tax is that option, wonderful,” Ravenstahl said. “If it's to raise the local services tax from $52 to $144, that works for me. If we want to look at levying the payroll preparation tax to nonprofits, that's fine too.”

An attorney for the Pennsylvania Beverage Association said he "would be deeply concerned about imposing another burdensome tax on the city's residents, businesses and visitors."

Allegheny County currently has a drink tax on poured alcoholic beverages. Funds from that tax go toward mass transit.

The only other city to impose a tax on sugary drinks is Chicago, where the levy is 3 percent.

Ravenstahl will be in Harrisburg next week to discuss the possible tax with lawmakers.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/22860928/detail.html

[Steel Mountain]

Originally Posted by GBMelBlount

http://www.wpxi.com/news/22860928/detail.html

I do not live there anymore, so my 2 cents is worth a lot less. I say hell yes! I am not for new taxes at all, but look....cigs are taxed...alcohol is taxed...when medical mary Jane gets around it will be taxed. The fact is that folks who consume these and other health detriments are also the ones who burden our health care. I am sorry to say it, but why should folks who corrupt their own body on purpose get a free ride w/ my dollars? Frankly, I am tired of looking at fat unhealthy slobs wondering why they are that way....I think the shit is eating their brains and they do even know it. If it were up to me, all that crap would be as illegal as heroin. Everyone knows it is a silent killer, just socially acceptable. I would happily pay a 100% tax on sugary, sweetened beverages. Why? Because I am not stupid enough to consume them. Water, a little red wine. fruit juice, green tea. Not good enough because it is not addictive enough.

[TheWarDen86]

Pittsburgh Considers Tax on Soda, Energy Drinks....

Shouldn't affect anyone in Pittsburgh because by all accounts, Pittsburghers drink "pop."

[GBMelBlount]

Originally Posted by Steel Mountain

The fact is that folks who consume these and other health detriments are also the ones who burden our health care.

I am sorry to say it, but why should folks who corrupt their own body on purpose get a free ride w/ my dollars? .

That would be an interesting point for debate Steel.....IF the money was going towards health costs.

However, It's not.

[X-Terminator]

Originally Posted by Steel Mountain

I do not live there anymore, so my 2 cents is worth a lot less. I say hell yes! I am not for new taxes at all, but look....cigs are taxed...alcohol is taxed...when medical mary Jane gets around it will be taxed. The fact is that folks who consume these and other health detriments are also the ones who burden our health care. I am sorry to say it, but why should folks who corrupt their own body on purpose get a free ride w/ my dollars? Frankly, I am tired of looking at fat unhealthy slobs wondering why they are that way....I think the shit is eating their brains and they do even know it. If it were up to me, all that crap would be as illegal as heroin. Everyone knows it is a silent killer, just socially acceptable. I would happily pay a 100% tax on sugary, sweetened beverages. Why? Because I am not stupid enough to consume them. Water, a little red wine. fruit juice, green tea. Not good enough because it is not addictive enough.

You're against new taxes...but support a new tax.

We already pay sales tax on a bottle of soda and most already cost anywhere from $1.35 to $1.59. Why add another tax on top of it? It's both ridiculous and redundant. Plus, you know as soon as this tax is implemented, it's going to be applied to all beverages, including fruit/vegetable juice and Vitamin Water. It's not just going to be limited to a bottle or can of Coke or Pepsi.

No more taxes. We are taxed enough already.

[MACH1]

I say they start putting extra taxes on the health food supplements that aren't FDA approved.

[fansince'76]

Bill Ritter (Colorado Governor) has proposed a statewide tax on candy and soda as well.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by X-Terminator

You're against new taxes...but support a new tax.

We already pay sales tax on a bottle of soda and most already cost anywhere from $1.35 to $1.59. Why add another tax on top of it? It's both ridiculous and redundant. Plus, you know as soon as this tax is implemented, it's going to be applied to all beverages, including fruit/vegetable juice and Vitamin Water. It's not just going to be limited to a bottle or can of Coke or Pepsi.

No more taxes. We are taxed enough already.

On top of that it's a regressive tax. What do poor people drink? It sure ain't Perrier.

[steelerdude15]

I wouldn't put a tax on soda, but on energy drinks yes, they tear your body apart and more importantly, they hurt your heart.

[Steelerstrength]

Originally Posted by MACH1

I say they start putting extra taxes on the health food supplements that aren't FDA approved.

I've never heard of an FDA approved supplement. Wouldn't that be another intrusion? Having the FDA regulate supplements would require a whole new branch to categorize the efficacy, types, etc.

If they only required clinicals to prove their claims that would be all that is needed. For example, I take all pharmaceutical grade supplements that have been clinically proven in many categories. Are they FDA approved? No. But drug companies would love the FDA to require approval. That's another shit-storm.

I totally and completely agree with taxing soda! It's just a mixture of horrible chemicals in a bottle not fit for human consumption! Wanna clean your car battery? Just pour a bottle of Coke on it! Wanna flush minerals out of your system? Just drink a soda that contains phosphoric acid!

I agree with Steel Mountain! Soda is crap! Making the choice to drink is costing us all!

That's my two cents!