Opposition Building Against Mayor Kenney's Drink Tax From Business Owners
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As momentum in Philadelphia for a sugary drinks tax proposed by Mayor Jim Kenney continues to build, so does opposition against it from businesses who feel they will shoulder the burden of increased costs.
Anne McNally, who owns McNally's Tavern in Chestnut Hill and is a member of Philadelphians Against the Grocery Tax Coalition, told Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that she is prepared to stop selling soda completely.
"We've decided that should this tax pass we will no longer serve soda. I'm also very aware of the health consequences of soda, just like smoking."
She is also worried that more taxes on restaurants will drive customers out of the city into the surrounding suburbs.
"It is a fear. Because we have a [tax of] eight percent on food and a ten percent drink tax, where if you go to Wynmoor or Lafayette Hill...you're only going to pay six percent. What we're talking about is supporting the important things in the city of Philadelphia but there's other ways that are better and fairer to raise money for our public schools."
McNally wants to know why is Mayor Kenney such a proponent of this tax now when he's previously opposed it?
"As small business owners, I want to make sure that City Council and the Mayor, who I think is a good guy and voted against this before...what's changed? When he wasn't the Mayor, when he was on City Council, he voted against it. Now he's the Mayor. I understand we need money and I just feel like City Council is out of touch with being a small business owner in the city of Philadelphia."
