Could D.C. become the next big city to put an extra tax on soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks? Lawmakers are considering it. They say due to growing health concerns highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic, but does such a tax make a difference and where does the money go?
Council member Brianne Nadeau has introduced the Nutrition Equity Bill to combat health disparities in the district.
Specifically, in Black and brown communities and low-income neighborhoods in Northeast and Southeast where experts say obesity and diabetes are diagnosed at high rates.
The money raised by the proposed 1.5 cent per ounce excise tax on sugary drinks would fund an initiative to help homeless shelters in the district provide healthier meals.
Control the population and generate revenue!
If the people are not smart enough to know how bad it is for them and refuse to learn (trust the science), they will pay the tax and continue to consume.
Those of us with active brain cells that moderate our consumption will be additionally taxed as well.
Control and Revenue is all that big government is about!
DC should stop stealing our hard earned money period.
Another tax on an already taxes item? Really!!!
On one end, the U.S. sugar subsidies cost U.S. households $2.4 billion to $4 billion annually. On the other end, consumers pay higher prices for the product because of the subsidies. Taxing beverages because of sugar content is a triple whammy.
Won’t be too long when air will become a premium!
They may wish to check with Philly on how a sugar tax works. People just took their dollars beyond the city boundaries to shop. Completely predictable.
1 true grocery store and Costco in DC. Rest is pretty much mom/pops stores. Folks in DC already go to MD and VA for groceries and other needs.
There are more black population in D.C. than any other color. NOW WHO IS RACIST TOWARD BLACKS???? More taxes?