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.
So, lets go to N.H. for cheap booze and some cheap R.C. Cola?
Now thats the funniest thing I have read,,,, well,, in the past few minutes anyway!
Problem is, the sheeple continue to vote for more taxes, whether they really want them or not.
They already have on. It's called a "lottery".
“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.
No, it won’t, they’ll just buy it in NJ or CT. Ever heard of prohibition? Putz.
calorie tax ping
>> Can’t this guy SEE that people do not want more taxes?
Dude, you gotta think like a Liberal then it will make sense — so I’ve been told.
I am, I always feel a little nauseous after having a diet pop.
If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet
(Cos I’m the taxman)
GEORGE HARRISON
Sorry it was a little play on words. Patterson is almost blind.
CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor David Paterson could sign a controversial bill into law Monday.
It involves cigarettes sold on Indian reservations.
The Governor is expected to sign a bill that would allow the state to tax Indian sales.
News at 1pm reporting he signed it.
thanks, bfl
New taxes, cuts in budget plan Paterson sees $404M tax on non-diet soda; health care
TimesUnion | 12/14/08 | JAMES M. ODATO
Posted on 12/14/2008 6:59:50 PM PST by Sammy67
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2148826/posts
‘Saturday Night Live’ mocks [New York Democratic] Governor
Paterson’s blindness, past drug use
The New York Daily News | December 14, 2008 | Stephanie Gaskell
Posted on 12/14/2008 2:49:02 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2148733/posts
Paterson in a Blind Rage over ‘SNL’ Skit
NYPost | December 15, 2008 | David K. L I
Posted on 12/15/2008 5:38:33 AM PST by rightwingintelligentsia
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2148943/posts
I'd be in favor of a tax that targeted Michael Bloomberg.
"Nutritionist Susan Allen, RD, CCN, at Chicago’s Northwestern Center for Integrative Medicine,
suspects that something additional is going on in many of her patients who have been using aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.
Allen believes that when they consume them, the sweet taste of no-calorie sweeteners triggers their bodies to release insulin,
even though there is no food to feed the cells."
Funny... every fatso I see orders diet soda... like it somehow makes up for all the rest of their over eating.
It doesn't help anyway. The body still produces insulin, and drinking diet sodas actually lead to increased hunger and ultimately more eating.
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