Gov. Deval Patrick insists public will support tax on soda, candy 
Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Ma)
By Chris Cassidy Boston Herald
Taxes on candy and soda and an expansion of the Bay State’s bottle bill are two “widely supported” ways to increase revenue, Gov. Deval Patrick told reporters as he filed a $32.3 billion budget yesterday, just under 3 percent larger than this year’s.
“We’re listening to outside voices,” Patrick said at a State House press conference yesterday morning. “I think it’s important for the Legislature to listen as well.”
Patrick said Bay State residents don’t mind paying more for chocolate bars and cola or shelling out deposits for bottles of water and Gatorade — just as they do for carbonated drinks.
He cited two polls to back up his claims, though some may question the objectivity of at least one of them.
Patrick said 69 percent of the public supports the elimination of tax exemptions on candy and soda, according to a poll from the Boston Foundation and New England Healthcare Institute. However, the Boston Foundation spent thousands on lobbyists to support a bill to eliminate the soda tax exemption last year, according to disclosure forms filed with the state.
Patrick also cited a MassINC poll claiming 77 percent of the public supports an expansion of the bottle bill.
Besides candy and soda, Patrick also wants to increase taxes on cigarettes and bring taxes on cigars and smokeless tobacco up to the same level as cigarettes.
The revenue, Patrick said, amounts to less than 1 percent of the budget. He warned tough choices lie ahead as the Legislature tackles his budget, saying it will require sacrifice.
“I’m asking the Legislature to make tough choices,” Patrick said. “The progress we’ve made is happening because we’ve made those choices and made them together.”
Commentary
Just like his Campaign slogan "Together We Can" continue to screw the taxpayers of Massachusetts
“We’re listening to outside voices,” Patrick said at a State House press conference yesterday morning. “I think it’s important for the Legislature to listen as well.”
Patrick said Bay State residents don’t mind paying more for chocolate bars and cola or shelling out deposits for bottles of water and Gatorade — just as they do for carbonated drinks.
He cited two polls to back up his claims, though some may question the objectivity of at least one of them.
Patrick said 69 percent of the public supports the elimination of tax exemptions on candy and soda, according to a poll from the Boston Foundation and New England Healthcare Institute. However, the Boston Foundation spent thousands on lobbyists to support a bill to eliminate the soda tax exemption last year, according to disclosure forms filed with the state.
Patrick also cited a MassINC poll claiming 77 percent of the public supports an expansion of the bottle bill.
Besides candy and soda, Patrick also wants to increase taxes on cigarettes and bring taxes on cigars and smokeless tobacco up to the same level as cigarettes.
The revenue, Patrick said, amounts to less than 1 percent of the budget. He warned tough choices lie ahead as the Legislature tackles his budget, saying it will require sacrifice.
“I’m asking the Legislature to make tough choices,” Patrick said. “The progress we’ve made is happening because we’ve made those choices and made them together.”
Commentary
Just like his Campaign slogan "Together We Can" continue to screw the taxpayers of Massachusetts
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