Opposition Testimony to HB 2153: Assessing a surcharge on soft drinks.

January 27, 2010
Rep. Ryan I Yamane, Chair
Committee on Health
House of Representatives
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Dear Chair Yamane,

The Hawaii Restaurant Association stands in opposition to HB 2153 assessing a surcharge on all soft drinks sold in Hawaii.

New York Gov. Paterson proposed this very unpopular bill last year as a means to raise additional revenue and did not pass their legislature.  Over 70 per cent of all Americans opposed this tax in the Rasmussen Poll last year.  Even Senator Schumer came out against this.  The NY governor is proposing again this year for the same reason.

Raising taxes on beverages that Hawaii residents enjoy every day, hardworking people here will get hit the hardest.  This regressive tax will hit our population that can least afford to pay for the higher costs especially the middle and lower income residents.

Another proven fact is that not everyone that drinks soda is obese or is diabetic and you are trying to also tax them.

The Administrative process as proposed will also impose tremendous hardship on the small and medium retailers.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our views.

Sincerely,

Victor Lim
Past Chair