Proposed taxes on foods and beverages could take a bite out of local businesses
Story Created:
Mar 26, 2010 at 4:16 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 26, 2010 at 6:19 PM EDT
ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKTV) -Health professionals from around the area spent the better part of the day identifying solutions to the area's health problems, after a recent study by the University of Wisconsin ranks Oneida County's health status 54th out of 62 counties.
Top issues discussed were diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. The recent study shows more than 27 percent of adults in Oneida County are overweight, and of those, more than 23 percent are obese.
Governor David Paterson is trying to fight obesity in the state - with his fight for a soda tax once again making news. And that's not all.
What about a tax on pizza and a ban on salt?
Those days when you could just enjoy junk food in peace may soon be long gone. That next indulgence could soon come with a higher price tag, courtesy of New York State.
Governor Paterson's proposed soda tax would add a one cent per ounce to the price of sugary drinks. It's estimated the tax will bring in $1 billion annually. The governor said he believed the tax will do double-duty - filling state coffers and trimming folks waistlines.
You might not notice a price hike like that at the register, but what about a ban on salt or an 18-percent tax on pizza?
A legislator from Brooklyn is proposing banning salt altogether from all restaurant and bakery foods, and some New York City doctors are proposing a giant tax hike on pizza to fight obesity and offset health care costs.
That proposal has some local business owners rolling their eyes.
"Certainly, in a bakery, salt is a big ingredient," said Marolyn Wilson, owner of Holland Farms Bakery. "That whole thing just sounds absurd to me."
"It's kind a delusional to me," said Charlie DiGristina, owner of Charlie's Pizza. "Pizza should be on the bottom of the list."
If the thought of all these taxes makes you lose your appetite, there's no need to worry just yet - no bill has yet to be signed into law.
Most Popular