Taxes: Soda
The Soda Tax is considered one of the “Sin taxes,” which are levied on activities or products that are considered socially undesirable. Other common targets include alcohol and tobacco. Sin taxes are often meant to act both as a disincentive for specific behaviors and as a means to generate public revenue. For example, cigarette taxes are intended to help people quit smoking and taxes on soft drinks to reduce obesity. Revenues are sometimes targeted at health and social programs that ease the problems created by the use of the product.
Commentary
Cry Wolf Quotes
This is a great example of railroading a program through the system without thought of who will be paying for it or why. There was no public hearing, no contact whatsoever with our industry. The program's goal is worthwhile, but the method of funding and the lack of public input is unconscionable
[Back Yard Burgers] knew about the [Arkansas soda] tax when it made the move, but it wasn't much of a concern. "It really didn't enter into it at all," King says.
We're funding a program that has a lot of merit. But if it's so important, then everyone should be taxed, not just us.
The tax took away our ability to accumulate funds to replace assets. We were strapped for cash flow.
Related Laws and Rules
Resources
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a think tank focused on tax and fiscal policy. They provide in-depth analysis of state issues.
Citizens for Tax Justice is an organization that represents low and middle income citizens in the tax debates on Capitol Hill.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest, since 1971, has been a leading advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alchohol policy, and sound science.
