PRESS RELEASE:
Food and Beverage Coalition Opposes Bill to Tax Soft Drinks and Juices
Contact: Jenny Dudikoff
(916-521-4404)
February 18, 2010 (Sacramento) – Californians Against Food and Beverage Taxes, a coalition of concerned California individuals, associations and businesses who oppose taxes on foods and beverages, strongly objects to a bill introduced today that would levy a tax on soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages.
“Not only will higher taxes fail to make people healthier, they will jeopardize good-paying jobs and put further pressure on our struggling retailers,” said Bill Dombrowski, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association. “California’s unemployment rate already stands above the national average at 12.4 percent, and taxpayers were hit with $12.5 billion in new taxes last year alone.”
This is not the time for yet another new tax, adding to the cost that families pay for their grocery items. Hardworking Californians are already struggling to make ends meet.
“There are better ways for our government to help Californians lead healthy lives than by placing discriminatory taxes on soda and juice drinks,” continued Dombrowski. “We simply can’t tax our way to healthier lifestyles.”
Coalition members include thousands of California residents and businesses including the California Retailers Association, California Grocers Association, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, The Latino Coalition and the Asian Business Coalition.
###
Californians Against Food and Beverage Taxes is a growing coalition. Businesses and individuals can join the more than 2,400 people who have already signed up by visiting www.nofoodandbevtaxca.com.
About the Coalition
Californians Against Food and Beverage Taxes is a coalition of concerned California individuals, associations and businesses that oppose taxes on food and beverages. Our members include individuals as well as the following organizations:
7-Eleven, Oakland, CA
7-Eleven, Fremont, CA
7-Eleven # 24003
Alameda Merchants Association
AM/PM Arlo Gas
Asian Business Coalition
Bonfare Market
CA Retailers Association
California/Nevada Soft Drink Association
California Grocers Association
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
California Licensed Beverage Association
Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Chambers of Commerce Alliance, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Chevron – Alameda, CA
Chocolate Heaven
Chowders, Inc.
Cork n’ Bottle
Corn Refiners Association
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Eagle Cafe
Eaglenest Eatery
Food 24 Convenience Market
Java House
Grand Express Market
Greater Corona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Java House
Hometown Donuts
In Room West
Ken Betts, Inc.
Kwik & Convenient
Latin Hollywood Films
Los Angeles Metro Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Mexican American Grocers Association
Mirex
National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Inc.
National Taxpayers Union
Nazdak Cafe
Neighborhood Market Association
Oak Street Shell
Orange County Taxpayers Association
Paradise Bar and Restaurant Services
Pasquales Pizzeria
Piedmont Valero Service Center
Pier 39 Ice Cream Shop
Quik Stop
Quik Stop 4056
Rahmani Enterprises, LLC
Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
San Diego Tax Fighters
San Francisco State Gold Coast
Santa Clarita Concessions, Inc.
Seaside Taxpayers Association
Shell San Pablo
Specialty’s Bakery & Cafe
Super Bowl Bakery & Cafe
Tab’s, Inc.
Tavern Owners United for Fairness
Telegraph Quality Market
Tiffany Cafe
Trag’s Cafe
Travel Traders
The Latino Coalition
V & I Liquor Store
Ventura County Taxpayers Association