Public weighs in on sugary drinks tax and trash fee
Philadelphia’s newly proposed revenue generators: the sugary drinks tax and trash fee are falling flat among some residents.
Philadelphia’s newly proposed revenue generators: the sugary drinks tax and trash fee are falling flat among some residents.
City Council held a hearing on the levies today. [audio:100317TMCOUNCIL.mp3]
About 40 signed up to testify, mostly against the sugary drinks tax and trash fee. Among them was Pete Ciarrocci, who owns a number of bar-restaurants in the region. He says the surcharge on soda, coupled with other taxes he’s paying, could put restaurants out of business.
Ciarrocci: The way this tax sits now it’s a 69 cents or 70 cents upsale for a rum and cola. So 69 cents a drink for instance, I would rather take the 69 cents a drink and the mayor and city council can have have Chickie and Pete’s. If I can make 69 cents on a drink I would do it. That’s the difference between making it and losing it.
It’s the city’s hope revenue from sugary drinks and trash would protect services and be an investment in the Philadelphia’s future.
Councilman Bill Green predicts the fees proposals will not emerge from city council in their current form.
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