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I have made this the annual debate in my classroom. Since RCF tends to have strong opinions about taxation, I thought I'd throw this one out there:
http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/27309814/berkeley-voters-approve-sugary-drink-tax
Berkeley voters approve sugary drink tax
Posted: Nov 06, 2014 6:19 AM PST
BERKELEY, CA (KRON/CNN) - Voters in California have given the thumbs up to a tax on sugary drinks.
It makes Berkeley the first city in the nation to approve such a measure.
Starting Jan. 1, there will be a one cent per ounce tax on sodas, sports drinks and even the syrup used to sweeten coffee drinks. That tax will be collected from the distributor.
City officials say there is a lot of interest from other municipalities across the country.
"There's a buzz now nationally talking about sugar taxes or soda taxes, I think I probably received 25 emails today from around the country today, Florida, New York and Wisconsin,"said Laurie Capitelli, City Council
The money is supposed to go toward health based programs like nutrition classes in public schools. But, the city council will determine exactly where the money will go.
Reaction from consumers is mixed.
"The kids today have no idea what it will do to affect them in the future, they have no idea and it's really bad," said Dilia Marillo, a resident
"I think it's a great idea because sugar is what's killing people, and I think it's an incentive to reduce consumption of sugary drinks, and go for alternative drinks," said Rob Glickman, a resident.
"The government went way too far. It's up to private industry to settle these things, it's up to parents to determine what their kids eat or drink, so I didn't vote for that," said Robert Nizza, a resident.
It is unclear how the new tax will affect prices because beverage manufacturers could choose to pay the tax themselves and not pass the cost on to the consumers.
Copyright 2014 KRON via CNN. All rights reserved.
Thoughts?
http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/27309814/berkeley-voters-approve-sugary-drink-tax
Berkeley voters approve sugary drink tax
Posted: Nov 06, 2014 6:19 AM PST
BERKELEY, CA (KRON/CNN) - Voters in California have given the thumbs up to a tax on sugary drinks.
It makes Berkeley the first city in the nation to approve such a measure.
Starting Jan. 1, there will be a one cent per ounce tax on sodas, sports drinks and even the syrup used to sweeten coffee drinks. That tax will be collected from the distributor.
City officials say there is a lot of interest from other municipalities across the country.
"There's a buzz now nationally talking about sugar taxes or soda taxes, I think I probably received 25 emails today from around the country today, Florida, New York and Wisconsin,"said Laurie Capitelli, City Council
The money is supposed to go toward health based programs like nutrition classes in public schools. But, the city council will determine exactly where the money will go.
Reaction from consumers is mixed.
"The kids today have no idea what it will do to affect them in the future, they have no idea and it's really bad," said Dilia Marillo, a resident
"I think it's a great idea because sugar is what's killing people, and I think it's an incentive to reduce consumption of sugary drinks, and go for alternative drinks," said Rob Glickman, a resident.
"The government went way too far. It's up to private industry to settle these things, it's up to parents to determine what their kids eat or drink, so I didn't vote for that," said Robert Nizza, a resident.
It is unclear how the new tax will affect prices because beverage manufacturers could choose to pay the tax themselves and not pass the cost on to the consumers.
Copyright 2014 KRON via CNN. All rights reserved.
Thoughts?
