Politics on the Hudson

Senators, union workers and business groups joined an anti-tax group on Monday to rally against Gov. David Paterson’s proposed tax on sugary beverages and syrups, reports Gannett’s Jon Campbell.

The rally was held by a coalition of groups called New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes and attended by hundreds of union workers. The coalition claims the tax may cause close to 20,000 people to lose their job and double the price of sodas and other beverages.

Paterson has said the tax would help discourage consumers from buying sugary beverages and fight obesity.

Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, said the Senate is “united in its opposition” to the tax. Twelve senators – including ten Democrats – spoke out at the rally.

“It just doesn’t make any sense, and I think that’s why we all feel so strongly about this issue,” said Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Mamaroneck, Westchester County. “The fact that some people think it would change individual habits – it doesn’t. I think that is just an excuse to try and get this passed.”

Last month, Westchester County senators wrote a letter to Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson, D-Brooklyn, in opposition to the tax.

Paterson told reporters, after speaking at a symposium in support of the tax, that the tax would be good for the health of New York and help the state with about $1 billion a year in revenue. He urged the Senate to reconsider.

“I hope that there will be a hearing or an opportunity for us to try to persuade them,” Paterson said. “It’s $1 billion in revenue. It’s probably the best public policy on health care that we will be setting in this decade.”

Senators opposed to the tax included Sens. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx; Sen. Bill Stachowski, D-Buffalo; Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Mount Vernon; Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers; Oppenheimer; Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn and Joseph Robach, R-Greece, Monroe County.

The proposal would tax about one cent per ounce of sugary drinks.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said his conference is mixed on the proposal.

“We are still considering that in conference,” he said.

John O’Neill, president of beverage-bottling union Teamsters Local 812, said the state is already taxed enough.

“Gov. Paterson just doesn’t get it again. Over 2 million people left New York state for other states last year alone,” O’Neill said. “We don’t want or need anymore taxes. We have to save our jobs – my job and your job.”

The tax could have a negative impact on corporations, said Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, Westchester County. PepsiCo’s corporate headquarters is located in Purchase, Westchester County.

|  Email This