Maybe it was Bloomberg who started the soda companies thinking.
When New York City’s former mayor slapped a tax on soda over a decade ago, it was met with cries of delight and disgust. How could a public official regulate what people drink, or eat, for that matter? The tax was imposed in an effort to battle American’s increasing obesity—a good thing in some people’s eyes—and increasing amounts of food we like to consume. Restaurants soon followed, imposing calorie counts on menus, and posting their nutrition statistics in their windows. All good moves, perhaps, where nutrition knowledge is concerned, but some say it errs on the side of overkill.
But reverse regulation seems to also have its place, and one government bill in Michigan—that does just that—may become a law.
House Bill 4999 would prohibit any local government from taxing food products. According to the bill’s opponents, including the Voices Action Center and American Heart Association, the prohibition is like putting the cart before the horse, since currently no local governments in the state are imposing food taxes. The legislation usurps the ability of local governments to do as they see fit, say the group.
One industry player, the American Beverage Association, is a supporter of the legislation, which they say helps to prevent against unfair regulatory activity.
The bill has also passed both the House and the Senate, and has been sent to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for signing.
The American Heart Association and Voices for Action Center are calling for a deeper examination of the issue and a call to Gov. Rick Snyder to reject the bill.
To learn more, visit act.voicesactioncenter.org/vKz8cwt.
Thinking Ahead? Proposed Michigan law seeks to prevent a tax before it occurs added by TheHUB on
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