Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Group wants to tax espresso for child care (with poll to FReep)
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer/AP ^ | 6/1/02 | MELANTHIA MITCHELL

Posted on 06/01/2002 4:05:20 PM PDT by ppaul

It's a tax that could hit Seattleites where it really hurts: their coffee mugs.

A group of child-care advocates, seeking more money for early education, filed an initiative Friday that would place a 10-cent city tax on Seattle's lifeblood -- espresso drinks.

But in Seattle, where voters have already voted to tax their tobacco, their meals and their hotel rooms, among other things, initial word of the proposal caused barely a jolt among the area's latte lovers.

"Coffee, in a way, it's kind of a luxury item," said Patty Grazini, who frequents the Diva Espresso Bar in Seattle's Greenwood district. "As long as the money went to the programs it was supposed to, I would support it."

The Early Learning and Care Committee, which is made up of parents, teachers and child-care directors, expects the tax would raise $7 million to $10 million a year in this coffee-addicted city.

The money would be used to increase wages for child-care teachers, assist low- and middle-income families in obtaining quality child care and increase the amount of high-quality care in Seattle, said Lisa Moy, campaign manager.

The committee has until early August to collect the necessary 17,228 valid signatures needed to get the initiative on November's ballot.

But Diva Espresso barista Melissa Petersen wasn't so sure the initiative was such a good idea.

Another 10 cents is a lot to ask for a drink that's already pretty expensive and can cost $3 to $4, she said.

"They've got a smoking tax, regular taxes, why not a yuppie tax," Petersen said sarcastically.

Grazini, 50, averages about two cappuccinos a day and has no problem flipping the bistro an extra dime or two. The tax would bring the cost of her daily caffeine dosage to about $4.20, or an additional $73 a year. A person that has one drink each workday would pay an extra $26.

Moy said taxing espresso drinks is a guaranteed source of income in Seattle, where many residents can't get through the day without a caffeine hit.

Drip coffee would not be taxed and espresso seemed the most obvious choice that would not burden any particular economic group, Moy said.

"We know that the city of Seattle voters are dedicated to their children," Moy said. "This is one way they can enable children more access to quality pre-kindergarten care."

Since the tax would apply to businesses that gross more than $50,000 annually, Moy said Starbucks and Tully's Coffee -- Seattle's main coffee contenders -- were told of the group's plan.

In a prepared statement, Starbucks said the company did not understand why the group "would recommend an additional consumer tax on espresso beverages, or any other single consumer product, to fund this initiative."

Company spokeswoman Audrey Lincoff would not comment further.

The increase would do little to effect business at Diva Espresso's four locations in Seattle, said manager Stephen Johnson.

"Regular customers would initially notice, but they would adapt to it very readily," Johnson said. "I think coffee's a pretty strong drug.

Read the article and FReep the poll HERE.



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: childcare; coffee; communism; espresso; ittakesavillage; seattle; socialism; tax; taxes; welfare; welfarestate
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last
Another idiotic "It Takes a Village" idea from the left coast, where Socialism is alive and well.


1 posted on 06/01/2002 4:05:21 PM PDT by ppaul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Its all for the children. Besides Starbucks aficionados are all yuppies.
2 posted on 06/01/2002 4:08:23 PM PDT by goldstategop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
We know that the city of Seattle voters are dedicated to their children," Moy said. "This is one way they can enable children more access to quality pre-kindergarten care."

Those imbeciles actually believe this stuff. It's truly amazing. These are grown men and women. Well-educated, most of them.
No wonder the bureaucracy keeps growing and there's no end in site to how much of our hard-earned income the government takes away.

3 posted on 06/01/2002 4:12:28 PM PDT by ppaul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Universal Preschool?

Economic Opportunity Institute

"One of the fundamental tenets guiding EOI's work is the belief that all children should have access to quality care and learning from birth to five years of age. Studies show the importance of these early years on a child's emotional, social and cognitive development. We now know the relationship between the quality of children's early experiences and their subsequent social and academic success. EOI is therefore expanding its work on early learning and care to include a focus on universally available preschool for all four-year-olds in Washington State and universally available full-day kindergarten for all five-year-olds in the state."

Note: The survey commissioned by the sponsoring organization (Economic Opportunity Institute) was conducted by the polling firm owned by its Treasurer. It takes a village to steal a child...

4 posted on 06/01/2002 4:21:02 PM PDT by Liberty Reigns
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Time for TAX ME MORE!!!
5 posted on 06/01/2002 4:29:19 PM PDT by jimkress
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Have a cup of Joe.


6 posted on 06/01/2002 4:32:44 PM PDT by July 4th
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Starbucks should have no reason to complain about the tax - since they support the right of single women to have babies and applaud the right of men to walk away from their personal responsibilities.
7 posted on 06/01/2002 4:32:49 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Read the article and FReep the poll

We're supposed to vote "yes", right? Seems only fair since the latte-sippers are always so hot to tax bullets!

8 posted on 06/01/2002 4:34:21 PM PDT by Redcloak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Figuring that it is in Seattle, it has a very good chance of coming into existence.
9 posted on 06/01/2002 4:34:24 PM PDT by Parmy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Sure. What's 10 cents for a chance to get rid of your toddlers a little earlier?
Let someone else raise them for you.
Start the PC indoctrination early, and parents can go back to the party.
What about the little kids? Gee, no one thought about them.
Oh well, welcome to the world of liberalism and Orwells puppies. They're just money making tools anyway. (/s)
10 posted on 06/01/2002 4:35:53 PM PDT by concerned about politics
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Parmy
Is Seattle part of Canada now?
11 posted on 06/01/2002 4:38:19 PM PDT by DB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
I'm glad I moved to Las Vegas.
12 posted on 06/01/2002 4:45:28 PM PDT by RIGHT IN SEATTLE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Since you apparently live in Seattle, you have a right to voice your opinion on the local issue facing you and your neighbors.
13 posted on 06/01/2002 4:45:49 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Sure, about 25% of the money will go for the intended
purpose. The other 75% is needed to pay the inflated
salaries of gov't employees, and to cover the rampant
theft, waste and abuse that accompanies every gov't
program. I think that ratio is pretty consistent
for most gov't social programs.
14 posted on 06/01/2002 4:48:19 PM PDT by jrp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Memo to Starbucks headquarters:

There are other states to choose from. :-)

15 posted on 06/01/2002 4:51:01 PM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
"...But Diva Espresso barista Melissa Petersen wasn't so sure the initiative was such a good idea.

Another 10 cents is a lot to ask for a drink that's already pretty expensive and can cost $3 to $4, she said..."

Don't worry Melissa...

Anyone demented enough to pony up $4 for a cup of coffee that looks like monkey sputum won't choke on another lousy dime.

16 posted on 06/01/2002 5:12:19 PM PDT by DWSUWF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul

But in Seattle, where voters have already voted to tax their tobacco, their meals and their hotel rooms, among other things, initial word of the proposal caused barely a jolt among the area's latte lovers.

High school bullies wish their thievery was so easy with complacent victims

17 posted on 06/01/2002 6:54:29 PM PDT by Zon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Its the one flaw in our system; the ability to vote a tax on someone else. Tell these idiots to hire their own babysitter.
18 posted on 06/01/2002 7:11:54 PM PDT by meyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
HOOOOOOboy, what idiots!!
19 posted on 06/01/2002 8:22:33 PM PDT by timestax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: timestax
Tennessee Tea Party bump...poll at 70.3% NO 10:31 pm
20 posted on 06/01/2002 8:32:00 PM PDT by GailA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson