By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – It's looking like Governor David Paterson's proposal to place a tax on the sale of sugary drinks in New York will not become law, at least for now.
Paterson has pushed hard for his proposal, arguing it would reduce obesity and bring in some much needed revenue. But the bill is unlikely to pass the State Senate. The Democrats hold a slim 31-30 majority in the chamber. And with several Democratic senators joining the entire Republican conference in opposing it, the votes are not there to pass the tax as part of the new state budget.
Paterson's proposal would have added a penny per ounce tax to sugary soda and other drinks with less than 70 percent fruit juice. When fully implemented, it would have brought in $1 billion in new revenue to the state.
It was also expected to reduce the consumption of sugary beverages by about 15 percent.