Economics

Op-Ed: Soda Tax Would Hurt Low-Income Families

Published

8 years ago

August 19, 2016

(Bernie Sanders wrote this guest column in opposition to the sugar tax that was recently passed by Philadelphia’s city council.)

I applaud Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney for introducing a plan to provide universal preschool for all of his city’s 4-year olds. I strongly share the goal of ensuring that every family has access to high quality, affordable preschool and childcare.

But I do not support Mayor Kenney’s plan to pay for this program with a regressive grocery tax that would disproportionately affect low-income and middleclass Americans.

I was especially surprised to hear Hillary Clinton say that she is “very supportive” of this proposal. Secretary Clinton has vowed not to raises taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 per year. For reasons that are not clear, she has chosen to abandon her pledge by embracing a tax that targets the poor and the middle class while going easy on the wealthy. That approach is wrong for Philadelphia, and wrong for the country.

Mayor Kenney wants to raise $400 million from a tax on juice boxes, soft drinks, teas, flavored coffee and other sweetened drinks. His proposal would raise the price of a $1.00 soft drink to $1.24. That will hit many Philadelphians hard, especially the more than 185,000 people in the city who are trying to scrape by on less than $12,000 a year. He twice opposed the same tax idea. He was right then. He’s wrong now.

It would make much more sense to finance universal preschool in Philadelphia by raising taxes on its wealthiest residents who currently benefit from flat state and city tax rates. What’s more, national tax rates for wealthy Americans and corporations are much lower than they were under President Ronald Reagan.

For example, the Commerce Department and other data found that corporations paid an effective tax of 31.7 percent on average during the Reagan years, but only 22.8 percent on average under President Barack Obama.

That means more than $166 billion per year in revenue has been lost because of the influence of corporate lobbyists and campaign contributions. Not only could that money be used to make sure that every 4-year old in this country had access to a high-quality preschool, it could also provide the resources necessary to provide universal child care and preschool to every infant and toddler in America with billions to spare for other urgently needed programs.

Mayor Kenney deserves praise for emphasizing the importance of universal pre-kindergarten. But at a time of massive income and wealth inequality, it should be the people on top who see an increase in their taxes, not low-income and working people.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 25 – 31, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 25 – 31, 2024

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Outgoing Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln

Lincoln’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from his love of people and his desire to serve his city. He prioritized resolving issues, including homelessness and public safety, among others. Lincoln, a Republican, will transition out of his role as mayor on Dec. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 9th Congressional District.

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln. Photo provided by California Black Media.

Kevin Lincoln, outgoing mayor of Stockton, CA, captured during his tenure as a leader dedicated to the city’s progress and community engagement.

By Edward Henderson
California Black Media

Born in Stockton, Mayor Kevin Lincoln says his Army upbringing inspired him to serve others.

Lincoln joined the United States Marine Corps in 2001 and was later assigned to Marine One, serving during President George W. Bush’s administration.

Following his military service, Lincoln worked for one of the nation’s top private security companies for eight years in Silicon Valley. In 2013, he resigned from his corporate position to give back to his community in Stockton through full-time ministry at a local church.

Lincoln’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from his love of people and his desire to serve his city. He prioritized resolving issues, including homelessness and public safety, among others.

Lincoln, a Republican, will transition out of his role as mayor on Dec. 31, after an unsuccessful campaign to represent the 9^th Congressional District.

Recently, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Lincoln. He reflected on his accomplishments this year and his goals moving forward.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why? 

What I prioritize for our city council is our youth. They are the future — not only our city, but this region as a whole.

We were able to invest over $6 million in youth programming and workforce development, and partner with 14 different community-based organizations. We were able to employ over 600 young people through the city of Stockton. We launched even our first ever summer jobs program for the city of Stockton.

How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? 

It’s about giving people a seat at the table, and not necessarily waiting for people to come to me, but me going to the community, making myself accessible, meeting our community at the point of their need, where they’re at.

What frustrated you the most over the last year?

It’s politics. Because unfortunately, there’s politics in everything. And I say politics impedes progress. You can have a policy, a solution that may not necessarily be 100% perfect. But it’s a good solution for everybody. But because we allow politics to get in the way based off our personal ideologies, oftentimes we can miss opportunities to make an impact for the benefit of the whole.

What inspired you the most over the last year?

My biggest inspiration has been the community and our ability to work together. What’s unique about Stockton, one in 20 jobs are nonprofit jobs in the city of Stockton and even San Joaquin County.

What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?

To stay focused. In politics, there’s a lot of opportunity for distractions. There are a lot of influences from the outside — good, bad and indifferent. It’s important to stay focused, have a clear vision, and be committed to that vision.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?

Economics. When the economy is not healthy, when we’re not thriving, we’re limited. Opportunities are limited.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?

I just want to continue to be a servant leader and serve our community in whatever capacity I am in.