Republicans: Cut Colo. soda tax

Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks could get a bit cheaper in Colorado under a Republican proposal to repeal sales taxes on soda.

Coloradans began paying a 2.9 percent sales taxes on sodas last year, when lawmakers looking for ways to raise money and confront obesity imposed a levy soft drinks and candy. Before, the often-sugary items were exempt from state sales taxes, as most other food is.

A Republican proposal before a House committee on Wednesday takes aim at the soda tax but leaves the candy tax in place. Rep. David Balmer of Centennial says his bill will help struggling families save a few pennies at the grocery store. Opponents point out that the tax repeal would cost Colorado an estimated $12.3 million next year.

5 Responses to “Republicans: Cut Colo. soda tax”

1. Jeff Says:
   February 22nd, 2011 at 12:12 pm

   So, let me get this straight. We’re looking at cutting school budgets by $300 million due to falling revenue, and some folks want to repeal a tax few people think about in order to restore $13 million back to the people who are going to suffer drastic school cuts. I don’t see the logic in restoring a tax when faced with other tax cuts.

2. Jimmy L Says:
   February 22nd, 2011 at 12:51 pm

   Oops… the first paragraph got cut – here’s the whole comment:

   Since soda is not a necessity or even healthy for anyone, I don’t think trying to save consumers a few pennies on their grocery bill is a valid reason to eliminate this tax. If people want to save money, drink water or homemade ice tea with little or no sugar as an option.

   I say that as not agreeing with the taxes, levies and other government fees that are imposed on the people of Colorado. There are other fees & taxes that could be reduced which would be more beneficial to the general population.

   Now, if the tax is supposed to be used to help reduce obesity, where and how has that money collected been used to reduce the problem?

3. Christopher Colvin Says:
   February 22nd, 2011 at 1:01 pm

   I was the world’s biggest Coke (coca cola) addict for years. Coke, Diet-Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi One, Canada Dry carbonated drinks. If it was carbonated, I’d drink, no guzzle it. I probably spent $1,000 a year on soda. That said, the sales tax would only have cost me $29.00 a year in sales tax.

   While Mr. Balmer’s efforts to save struggling families a few pennies at the check stand is admirable, struggling families probably won’t spend $1,000 a year on soda only to save $29.00 for the year. And if they’re struggling, maybe soda shouldn’t be on the shopping list. Perhaps a reduction on taxes for utilities, or gasoline. That would have a significant impact on struggling families.

   Personally, I’m against levying any tax on the population but I regard this more as a sin tax the people can choose not to pay by avoiding soda. Keep the tax, use the money to reduce state deficits…not spend on new programs, and when the defecit’s are eliminated…stop the tax.

   Rather than worrying about soda, why not build incentives for primary industry to come to Colorado. Give prospective primary employers huge tax breaks on taxes the state isn’t already collecting…so more jobs can be brought to Colorado. More jobs, more tax revenue, better economy.

   My two cents. It’s worth what you paid for it.

4. Citizen80919 Says:
   February 22nd, 2011 at 7:54 pm

   Cut the tax.

   Government needs to scale back in size, and more than just a little bit.

5. Dick Burns Says:
   February 23rd, 2011 at 6:50 am

   Balmer is from Centennial, not Colorado Springs. You could look it up.