OntheWilderSide

KW: I am not sure I entirely support this. Though, it is an interesting thought. Also, perhaps part of the definition of “fast food” and/or the way the tax is assigned should be related to the use of wasteful containers. Fast food used to happen for a reason, but now people too often do take-out with plastic and styrofoam and extra waste.

(excerpt from) Newsday
Nassau proposes 2 percent fast-food tax for next year
by Celeste Hadrick / June 20, 2009

It’s still just a proposal, but Nassau County is talking about taxing your Quarter Pounder or Whopper.

Anxious to find additional money to combat falling revenues during the economic downturn, the county included a 2 percent fast-food tax in its budget plans for next year…

The proposed fast-food tax would be part of County Executive Thomas Suozzi’s “Healthy Nassau” initiative, to encourage people to eat healthier, just as his proposed cigarette tax is intended to reduce smoking, officials said.

…the fast-food tax plan would impose an additional 2 percent tax on top of the 8.625 percent sales tax already charged on meals from McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and similar restaurants. The tax would not apply to independent pizza places or Chinese food restaurants.

…Pennsylvania already has a fast-food tax. Officials in other parts of the country have considered similar taxes, and Oakland, Calif., three years ago assessed fees on fast-food restaurants to help pay for the cleanup of their litter.

But while other governments may see fast food as a revenue generator, Suffolk does not. County Executive Steve Levy “has no intention of proposing or advocating such a tax,” a spokesman said…

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