Proposed Calif. Tax On Soda, Sugary Drinks Fizzes Out

CBS) ^ | April 26, 2011 12:51 PM

[BenLurkin]

Assemblyman Bill Monning says the bill, which proposed a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sodas, energy drinks, and sweet teas, is ultimately aimed at discouraging consumption.

“Science shows very clearly that the increased consumption in calories, particularly in young people, can be directly traced in large measure to increased consumption of sugary beverages,” Monning said.

Monning acknowledges he likely cannot get the two-thirds majority needed to pass the tax in the current highly-polarized political environment.

Critics contend the bill would hurt beverage companies and insist that it’s up to kids and their parents to decide what to drink.

[BenLurkin]

Thank God for the 2/3 vote requirement. Without it, evil SOBs like this clown would crush the people of this state within a year.

[fatnotlazy]

“Assemblyman Bill Monning says the bill, which proposed a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sodas, energy drinks, and sweet teas, is ultimately aimed at discouraging consumption.”

***

B-S. It’s another moneymaking scheme. Wring more money out of the taxpayers/consumers so the state can squander it or the officials can steal it for themselves.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I was reading an article about that transvestite getting beaten at McDonalds the other day, and some dingelheimer stated that “no one deserves to be beaten senseless in that manner.” Well, the dingelheimer was wrong. There are lots of people who deserve to be beaten senseless, and reading this article I think I’ve identified one of them.

[econjack]

You know, perhaps it's time for people to take some responsibility for themselves. It's not the gov’t job to act as a diet policeman...at least if it's in the Constitution, I missed it. If someone wants to rot their teeth and be fat, go for it. However, in doing that, those people are also absolving the gov’t of any responsibility of taking care of them when they have heart problems, diabetes, or any other such heath issues. (You probably guessed I think gov’t insurance is a crappy idea.)

[Graybeard58]

California is behind Illinois. We've had the sugary cola tax in effect since Sept. 2009.

[SkyDancer]

As if one cent would stop anyone from buy those drinks? It’s just another way to grab money for them to blow on some social program that’d be underfunded anyway.

[Kenny500c]

Not everyone who drinks soda is overweight, what is the rationale for taxing them?

[newzjunkey]

It’ll be back, even as an initiative, and you can bet voters will be offered another opportunity to lower the threshold it takes to pass new taxes or bonds. The Democrats are desperate to lower the bar on the last checks on their power.

[newzjunkey]

Revenue enhancement.