State Senators have voted down Governor Neil Abercrombie’s controversial “Soda Tax Bill”. Under the governor’s plan, all sugary beverages would be taxed 1 cent per ounce, which would have generated $37 million per year. This money would have been earmarked to counter obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes in the state of Hawaii. However, the Senate Ways and Means Committee decided not move the bill forward this year. Lola Irvin of the state Department of Health stated, “We’re disappointed, certainly. From the Department of Health’s perspective, this was a recommended policy for public health to address creating a healthier food environment and is part of a comprehensive effort we need to address the issue of obesity and diabetes and other chronic diseases.”
The No Hawaii Beverage Tax organization, approved of the decision to not move the bill forward and commented, “We are pleased to hear that our state senators have used logic and common sense rather than an emotional argument to deal with the important issue of obesity. It is a complex problem that must be met with a strategic, long-term, multi-faceted approach, including good diet habits and exercise, rather than with a one-beam laser gun approach called a beverage tax. This tax would have hurt our economy in numerous ways, including many small businesses and individual consumers. We are grateful that the Senate recognizes we must all share in the responsibility for solving obesity, rather than targeting a single product.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-1-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
