Posted on 12/15/2008 9:52:33 AM PST by presidio9
A can of Coke could soon cost New Yorkers more than just calories.
Gov. Paterson, as part of a $121 billion budget to be unveiled Tuesday, will propose an "obesity tax" of about 15% on nondiet drinks.
This means a Diet Coke might sell for a $1 - even as the same size bottle of its calorie-rich alter ego would go for $1.15.
Paterson's budget also calls for a 3% cut in education spending, a $620-a-year tuition hike at SUNY and a $600 increase at CUNY - and about $3.5 billion in health care cuts, a source said.
The Democratic governor will not call for a broad-based income tax boost, but he will push to restore the sales tax on clothing and footwear.
The drastic belt-tightening comes as lawmakers struggle to close a $15 billion deficit this year and next.
"It's painful to make these decisions," Paterson said Sunday.
State employees again will be asked to forgo their 3% raises next year and defer five days' pay until they leave their jobs, the source said. In all, Paterson will propose about $9 billion in cuts, $4 billion in new taxes and fees, and $1.5 billion in nonrecurring revenue, a second source said.
The so-called obesity tax would generate an estimated $404 million a year. Milk, juice, diet soda and bottled water would be exempt from the tax.
"I'll just buy less," said Victor Lopez, 55, of Manhattan, as he drank a Coke at a midtown Subway store.
"I don't like to buy Diet Coke," said Amaury Garcia, 16, who works at a flower shop in Penn Station. "I'll just not buy any sodas if it goes up."
Public health advocates welcomed news of the tax, saying it would help the fight against childhood obesity.
"Raising the price of this liquid candy will put children and teens on a path to a healthier diet," said Elie Ward of the American Academy of Pediatrics of New York State.
The Paterson administration also announced steps yesterday to expand the state's social services net, including a 30% increase in welfare payments over three years starting January 2010, increased money for food banks and expanded access to the state's Family Health Plus program.
Paterson also hopes to make it easier for people to enroll in Medicaid by eliminating face-to-face interviews and fingerprinting requirements.
Nanny-stateism is breaking out all over.
I can’t stand it!!!
America is broken and, it seems, no one will try to fix it.
First, they came for the smokers, but I didn't say anything because I don't smoke.
Then they came for my leaded Pepsi - how dare they!!!!!
A role for sweet taste: calorie predictive relations in energy regulation by rats.
I thought sin taxes were never a good idea? That we aren’t supposed to legislate morality or some such...
LOL - but should be duly noted as the absolute friken truth of the matter.
Well, they could actually play outside and walk to their friends houses.
‘Could’ that is,if: Liberals did not keep releasing convicted sex offenders and then arranging for them to live in your neighborhood. . .
Diet sodas are about the most toxic thing we offer human beings to put in their bodies. Neurotoxic carcinogenic poisons getting quickly and efficiently into your bloodstream.
Fine governor...institute your stupid tax....I’ll do as I have always done and buy out of state. I buy motor oil (10 cent/quart lub tax), ammo, guns, fireworks, cigarettes, liquor, beer, and a whole host of other taxed items just over the border in PA and a few miles further in Ohio where the taxes are lower.
What a dunderhead. Typical democRAT.
How about a “Sight Tax” -— Tax anything that can be seen!
Wait a minute.... Governor Paterson might object to that!
He could stand being liposuctioned with a fire hose.
"Raising the price of this liquid candy will put children and teens on a path to a healthier diet," said Elie Ward of the American Academy of Pediatrics of New York State.
Meh, it's more impressive in the original German.
Paterson also hopes to make it easier for people to enroll in Medicaid by eliminating face-to-face interviews and fingerprinting requirements.
Yes, encourage more fraud! That's the way to save the taxpayers money!
Looks like they are just trying to go after Big Soda. How much sugar does most "juice" have in it these days?
I'm sorry, but these guys are just the liberal side of the same coin as the "bible thumpers". I want all busybodies to leave me the hell alone.
Government mandated soda pop...
Brings new hilarity to the term “Kool-Aid”.
Damn! What’s with the sandwich assaults? Won’t a good old fashioned grapefruit do anymore?
Not if people stop buying soda and/or switch to diet soda.
It's not like you NEED sodas.
But, they'll spend that $404 million like it's a for sure income and that puts the budget into a deeper hole.
So do I get a reprieve on the tax as diet soda gives me seizures?
Awww- Is cranky-pants still venting his anger over the SNL skit?
“Paterson also hopes to make it easier for people to enroll in Medicaid by eliminating face-to-face interviews and fingerprinting requirements.”
Brilliant. The fraud factory gets ready to crank up.
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