Taxes on candy and soda and an expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill are two “widely supported” ways to increase revenue, Gov. Deval Patrick told reporters as he filed a $32.3 billion budget yesterday, just under 3 percent larger than this year’s, according to The Boston Herald. For the full story, click here.
Editor’s Insight: The Massachusetts vending association and other food and beverage interests have a big fight on their hands. Tax proponents have a lot of support for these measures. Back in May, VendingMarketWatch reported a poll found most voters would support a sales tax on soda and candy if the money raised were used to support local schools or programs to reduce obesity in children.
The food and beverage industries need to remind voters that higher taxes are the last thing Massachusetts needs in the current economy.
The proposed taxes are also regressive; they hurt the lower income people disproportionately. 01-30-12 By Elliot Maras
