IMHO - no bill is actually proposing this, unless your state is taking it's own actions. Oregon already does the refundable $.05, that goes to the soda company if you don't return the can, not our schools, hospitals, or anything for us. Yea really green Oregon.
But they also aren't proposing to tax something you and your family can't live without. You won't be missing much without Coke or Diet Coke at every meal. You'd miss out on a whole lot more in life if they started taxing milk, cheese, eggs, veggies, flour, etc. A tax on soda makes it more of a luxury so people will think twice before buying it, at least sometimes.
Did you know that the corrosive nature of soda plus the sugar is attributed to the exponential growth of cavities in children under 8? Cut out soda from your children's life and you will save both in taxes and dental work, isn't their smile worth saving?
My question for taxing "fast food" is this. You have to define what it is and what it isn't, would it be a restaurant tax? Would convenience stores be included? Or would it be those with over 15 stores in 1 state like Oregon's requirement for nutrition labels (only if you have 15 chains in Oregon do you you have to - does not good if you like the small places and still have q's about what your eating). I think a pop tax is still a tax on fast food because not many people drink milk with their super-duper-ultra-special-happy meals. Remember the good old days when going out to eat was a luxury in itself, now it's just a habit, the easy way, and cheaper sometimes than making a healthy meal at home. hhh...
