The Rhode Island Public Health Institute (RIPHI) today announced their strong support of legislation (2021-S 0327 / 2021-H 5715) introduced by Sen. Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) and Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) establishing a tax on sugary drinks in Rhode Island. If enacted, the legislation would designate a portion of the revenues generated to expand access to nutritious food for low- income families by establishing a Retail SNAP Incentive Program that would incentivize consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables.
“Now, more than ever, many Rhode Islanders are hungry and have limited access to healthy foods. This important legislation will help alleviate hunger and promote healthy eating across Rhode Island,” said Dr. Amy Nunn, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. “We are committed to developing innovative and long-term solutions to Rhode Island’s most pressing public health problems. RIPHI commends Senato
Proposed tax would generate $45M annually
If enacted, proposed legislation working its way through the Rhode Island State House to tax sugary drinks would designate a portion of the revenues generated to expand access to nutritious food for low-income families by establishing a Retail SNAP Incentive Program that would incentivize consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables.
“Now, more than ever, many Rhode Islanders are hungry and have limited access to healthy foods. This important legislation will help alleviate hunger and promote healthy eating across Rhode Island,” said Dr. Amy Nunn, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Digital Editor The tax proposal in Washington state would increase the cost of a 12-ounce can of regular soda by 21 cents for consumers.
Both Rhode Island and Washington are considering enacting taxes on sugary beverages.
Sugar-sweetened beverages, which include calorically sweetened sodas, energy and sports drinks, coffees, teas and fruit drinks, are the primary source of added sugars in the U.S. diet, increasing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
Taxes on these beverages have been enacted by such U.S. cities as Albany, California; Berkeley, California; Boulder, Colorado; Oakland, California; Philadelphia; San Francisco; and Seattle.
And now these measures are being introduced at the state level.
The RI AFL-CIO. SEIU. The R.I. Federation of Teachers. NEARI.
All are part of the coalition that held an online rally Tuesday for a hike in Rhode Island s top income tax rate from 5.99% to 8.99% on estimated earnings above $475,000 to raise an estimated $128.2 million in new revenue for a long wish-list of spending items.
The advocates make this case: This proposal will have no effect on Rhode Islanders outside of the top 1%.This proposal impacts approximately 5,000 tax filers.
They also contend: the poorest taxpaying Rhode Islanders pay a larger share of their income, 12.1%, in sales, income, property and excise taxes than the wealthiest, 7.9%. By their calculations: the tax bill for someone with a taxable income of $500,000 would go up $750 and a $5 million taxable income, by $137,750.
Will taxing sugar-sweetened beverages help feed Rhode Islanders?
On Feb. 24, ‘Examining Food Insecurity in Rhode Island’ will explore solutions to Rhode Island’s hunger problem
KINGSTON, R.I. –Feb. 16, 2021 On the heels of its most recent Rhode Island Food System Summit, the University of Rhode Island, together with the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and Grow Smart Rhode Island, will host a follow-on event
Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, that will examine the causes of Rhode Island’s high rates of food insecurity.
Examining Food Insecurity in Rhode Island will feature two virtual panels designed to explore potential methods to help alleviate this growing public health problem. Panel One will examine whether a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages used as a funding mechanism enabling SNAP recipients to receive a 50% reduction on the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables in retail grocery stores might serve to address food insecurity in Rhod