From a press release:
HARTFORD — State Rep. Pam Staneski (Milford & Orange) voiced an emphatic NO on a proposed sugar tax on soda in the Children’s committee this week.
State Rep. Pam Staneski
The legislation, HB-5461, An Act Imposing a Tax on Sugary Soft Drinks, would impose a 1% tax per ounce on any carbonated nonalcoholic beverage which is intended for human consumption and contains any added caloric sweetener.
“I oppose any tax increase on Connecticut residents. This is not a public health issue. This is a personal issue. This is about government invading deeper into our lives and trying to sway our decisions by taxing us for them. This is the government trying to tell us what is and is not acceptable to consume.
The bill establishes a “soft drink tax account” which will be a separate, non-lapsing account within the state budget general fund.
“Unfortunately, this bill sets up another state fund similar to the Clean Energy, the Tobacco Trust and Special Transportation Funds, which regularly get raided by the General Assembly to fill state budget loopholes instead of using the funds for the causes they were intended,” said Rep. Staneski.
“If Connecticut is serious about fighting obesity, it should start with educating consumers – parents and children – about the dangers associated with obesity and diabetes. Schools and doctors can help. Clearly, it shouldn’t, and people need to take more personal responsibility for their health and eating decisions,” said Rep. Staneski.
During debate, Rep. Staneski also questioned the proponents of the bill, why grown adults who do not children have to face an additional tax for making an informed adult decision on what drinks to buy.
A study by George Mason University researchers showed that a 20% on soda would reduce an obese person’s Body Mass Index from 40 to 39.98- an amount not even measurable on bathroom scale.
According to the Centers for Disease Center (CDC), West Virginia and Arkansas are the only two states with an excise tax on soda nevertheless both states rank among the highest obesity rates in the country.
According to an American Heart Association study, almost 1 in 4 children does not participate in any free-time physical activity. Additionally, the average American child spends four to five hours in front of the TV, computer or video games every day.
