Our followers in Pennsylvania will probably be familiar with the recent proposal from Philadelphia lawmakers to add a new tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. We know what you’re thinking – didn’t a similar proposal fail miserably in Philadelphia last year? Well, you’re right. And honestly, we don’t know why the Mayor and City Council are taking another look at it – especially when families in Philadelphia are already struggling to make ends meet. They can’t afford any new taxes on top of other rising expenses.
There could not be a worse time to ask hardworking families to pay more for their groceries. With an unemployment rate of nearly 10 percent, this is not the time to add to the burden of hardworking families.
We saw an editorial in today’s Philadelphia Daily News, and thought we’d share this excerpt:
“…a 2 cents-per-ounce tax on sugared drinks still stinks, because it’s based on the same faulty premise as the original proposal a year ago. Because the city can’t impose a directed sales tax without approval from Harrisburg, this would be an excise tax on retailers who sell sugary drinks. Retailers will have to calculate how many drinks they sell, how many of those are sugared and report that amount to the city. That could be an accounting headache for smaller retailers; by the time they have to pass this tax onto consumers, retailers could decide it’s easier to spread the hike across all products, not just sugared soda. And vending machines that don’t have tiered pricing for water, soda and nonsugary soda will have to be replaced or the price of all drinks will have to be raised.”
The Mayor and City Council needs to find a way to get control of their own spending habits without piling on more taxes. The people of Philadelphia can decide what’s best for their families without government help.
June 7, 2011
City council needs to say no to the tax. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We are being taxed to death
Erik
June 8, 2011
When is this government in Philly going to get it? There isn’t enough tax payers to support higher taxes!! How about we get more jobs so we have more tax payers so then we won’t have to raise taxes ti begin with!!! Why is this so hard to comprehend?
June 10, 2011
We are paying enough taxes as it is, we the people of Philadelphia, are tired of having to rescue the rich when they screw-up – oh boy! what about that trying to lower taxes as you so chanted before you took office Mayor Nutter, FIND ANOTHER WAY! GIVE UP SOME OF THE PERKS YOU ALL ENJOY THERE AT CITY HALL!!! THE POOR CAN’T TAKE NO MORE.
June 24, 2011
no means no Mayor Nutter are’nt we being taxed enough already . Give us a break and leave our drinks tax free please.