Obesity Tax
ALBANY - 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.
Source: NY Daily News
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Comment
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Comment by Torey on December 16, 2008 at 4:24pm -
charge his ass a blind tax. charge people a dollar to slap him in the face. ill pay for that
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Comment by robierobe on December 16, 2008 at 1:10pm -
man ppl aint gonna change.. americans are gonna stay big and just pay more...
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Comment by Altamese on December 16, 2008 at 12:41pm -
We are forced won't receive our 3% next year and loose a weeks pay while in 2010 people on Welfare will get a 30% raise in their checks. That sounds a little backwards to me!
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Comment by Slim on December 16, 2008 at 9:30am -
well hey everybody meet Mr. ME Too :D
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Comment by kyle d on December 15, 2008 at 11:31pm -
wtf i live in ny and go to a suny school this dude really "cant see" what hes doin
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Comment by StreetKing23 on December 15, 2008 at 10:25pm -
i like how deres a feed the poor ad at the top
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Comment by Mary on December 15, 2008 at 9:57pm -
crazy
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Comment by hazEiNmYdutch on December 15, 2008 at 7:07pm -
This s*** is f***** stupid... kids r fat cause of their parents
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Comment by Junior on December 15, 2008 at 6:55pm -
This cant be happening in America?? We no longer have freedom. These stupid ass politicians have brought us to our knees. We cant even choose what we drink without them having a say in it. Do you notice that they were trying to get their budget under control so you would think they would cut spending right??...Wrong, they instead think that raising taxes will cover their debt which is totally irresponsible. No wonder New York is a s*** hole. Dont take it personal, im from New York.
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Comment by Justis on December 15, 2008 at 6:18pm -
Wow its amazing how these polticians form new ways to keep the masses broke and under government control....Un f***** believable!
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