Fourth Attempt for VT Beverage Tax

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Created on Tuesday, 10 February 2015 20:02

Written by JJ Murphy

VERMONT- A previously disputed beverage tax has found its way back to the State House. The proposed tax that would ask for two cents per ounce on drinks with added sugar has already been rejected three times before in 2011, 2013, and 2014.

One of the big issues with the tax is that many fear it would send business out of the state. Aaron Cole, the manager of Lyndonville Redemption Center, is opposed to the tax saying, "I don't like the beverage tax because it might make more people go to New Hampshire. If more people go to New Hampshire to buy their beverages, than there won't be as many empties returned back in the state of Vermont."

The tax is projected to raise $30 million for the state, while common household beverages could see prices jump as much as 60 percent. Marc Sherman of VTDigger.org believes "We should support local merchants and grocers with proposals that ease the burden of high taxes not impose new ones."

The redemption center has started a petition opposing the tax. Anyone interested in signing the petition can find it at the front counter of Lyndonville Redemption located at 406 Broad Street in Lyndonville.