SPRINGFIELD (Illinois Watchdog) — In
Illinois it's called everything from pop to soda to sodi, but the
state's Democrats are now calling soda pop a money-maker.
THAT'LL BE 44 CENTS: Illinois wants to add a penny-per-ounce tax to soda and
other sugary beverages.
State Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, on Wednesday laid out a plan to add a
penny-per-ounce tax to soda along with a handful of other sugary drinks.
Why? Kids (and adults) are getting chubby, and it costs a lot to treat
people who get sick from weighing too much, according to Hunter.
"This is one of the most progressive initiatives I have ever had the
opportunity to sponsor," Hunter said. "People will pay a little more, but
that is just to offset the burden those beverages (cause) in terms of health and
health care costs here in Illinois."
The health care costs may be more important than the health.
Hunter and other state lawmakers know that a penny-per-ounce tax on soda,
which comes to $3 a case or 67 cents per two liter, could raise a lot of
money. That cash would supplement the $13 billion Illinois now spends on
Medicaid.
"This legislation is projected to produce over $600 million each year for
prevention, wellness and Medicaid services in this state," state Rep. Robyn
Gabel said.
Illinois' vast bureaucracy of public health groups and advocates are also
jumping at the chance to get some new money.
"The monies and the revenue coming to local health departments for health
education is greatly needed," said Tom Hughes, executive director of the
Illinois Public Health Association.
Not everyone is on board. Illinois' businesses groups are chief among them.
"Illinois taxpayers are tired of politicians raising taxes," said
Mark Denzler, vice president and chief operating officer of the
Illinois Manufacturers' Association. "More importantly, (the soda
tax) is a failed strategy for reducing obesity."
State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, said no one who looks at this
tax can believe it's about making people healthy or fighting
obesity.
"It's clearly just another way to tax Illinois residents," Syverson
said. "It's not going to have any impact on health outcomes. If they
want to change health outcomes, they should deal with all of the foods
and drinks."
Syverson said Illinois should look at trimming the state's Medicaid
rolls before taxing anyone to spend more.
"There is more than enough waste and we can save money if
they were willing to take the fraud out of the system," Syverson said.
Illinois has added 168,000 people to Medicaid since Jan. 1 thanks in
large part to Obamacare. Syverson and other Republicans worry that
last year's 2.7 million Medicaid enrollees will swell to 3 million
by the end of the year.
The soda tax plan has yet to get a hearing in the statehouse.
