Texas lawmakers have proposed a new tax on soda. This tax would increase the price of soda by one cent per ounce of the sugary substance. That means you are charged 12 cents per can, so if you are buying a six-pack, or a twelve-pack for example, you will be charged a tax of 12 cents on every single can. This tax would not apply to those that are sold in restaurants, cafeterias, or other places of that nature. All money made off of this tax will be put into the general revenue fund, which is basically the main fund that receives government revenue. That means the state can pretty much use that money for any purpose it decides to designate it too.
Now, to the real questions....Is this tax on soda a good idea and how might it affect the public?
Honestly, I don't think that it will have that big of an impact on the public and their consumption of soda. Those avid soda drinkers are going to more than likely consume the same amount, regardless of the price. Those that feel they need those several sodas a day for that caffeine boost may not like the tax, but they will still buy them. If the tax does happen to cause them to cut back to fewer sodas a day, then I see that as a good thing. It will not only save then a little bit of money, but help to improve their health in the long run. There is no nutritional value in soda, it is nothing but sugar and empty calories. It would benefit the public to cut back.
So for those people that continue to consume soda on a daily basis, you will be helping the state out. That tax will add up and somewhat increase the state budget, so in the long run that will benefit the state of Texas and the people living in it.
For those that do end up cutting back because of the tax, or stop drinking them all together, it could do good things for your health. It could not only help people shed some pounds, but also help decrease the rates at which people become diabetic.
I see nothing negative coming from this tax. In the long run it helps out everyone, and only pisses off those that can't break the habit.
In a blog posted on Texas Chitchat the author discusses a proposed tax on soda products. The article states that there is no negative consequences which doesn't account for the the groundbreaking aspect of this to set a precedent and start us down a potentially slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteThis proposal may curb the intake of soda slightly and increase revenue for the state but ultimately it's taxing fattening goods. If passed, this would put soda in the ranks of cigarettes and alcohol. This tax could easily be extended to fa(s)t foods, ice cream and anything else that increases the likely-hood of obesity. Ultimately that is a slippery slope that will just lead to a general food tax reversing a long standing tradition of not having to the pay the government to survive on the bare minimum.