This is the definition of everything that is wrong with today's democrat party. First, Kenney lied to the public in saying that this "sugar" tax (really not a sugar tax as diet sodas are taxed too) would fund education efforts. Then he pulled a fast one and a good chunk of these funds would go to the general fund. Kenney then expected companies to just eat this tax and not increase prices. Shocker - they increased prices. Now, companies are reporting drastic reductions in prices. Kenney's response? They are liars. Finally, Kenney's revenue need is going to come up drastically short. This is everything that wrong with the democratic party and Philly deserved EVERYTHING they get for voting for Demoncraps election after election...
Two months into the city’s sweetened-beverage tax, supermarkets and distributors are reporting a 30 percent to 50 percent drop in beverage sales and are planning for layoffs.
One of the city's largest distributors says it will cut 20 percent of its workforce in March, and an owner of six ShopRite stores in Philadelphia says he expects to shed 300 workers this spring.
“People are seeing sales decline larger than anything they’ve seen up to this point in the city,” said Alex Baloga, director of government relations at the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.
In response, the city questioned the legitimacy of the early figures and predicted that customers responding to the initial sticker shock by shopping outside the city would return.
“We have no way of knowing if their sales figures and predicted job losses are anything more than fear-mongering to prevent this from happening in other cities,” said city spokesman Mike Dunn.
To hit its annual target, the city needs to collect $7.6 million a month in tax revenue. The first collection was due Feb. 21 but collection information won’t be available until next month. Early projections from the city's quarterly manager's report predict only $2.6 million will come through in the first collection. Dunn says that figure is expected to rise and the city still anticipates hitting its goal for the year.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/S...s-report-50-percent-losses-from-soda-tax.html
Two months into the city’s sweetened-beverage tax, supermarkets and distributors are reporting a 30 percent to 50 percent drop in beverage sales and are planning for layoffs.
One of the city's largest distributors says it will cut 20 percent of its workforce in March, and an owner of six ShopRite stores in Philadelphia says he expects to shed 300 workers this spring.
“People are seeing sales decline larger than anything they’ve seen up to this point in the city,” said Alex Baloga, director of government relations at the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.
In response, the city questioned the legitimacy of the early figures and predicted that customers responding to the initial sticker shock by shopping outside the city would return.
“We have no way of knowing if their sales figures and predicted job losses are anything more than fear-mongering to prevent this from happening in other cities,” said city spokesman Mike Dunn.
To hit its annual target, the city needs to collect $7.6 million a month in tax revenue. The first collection was due Feb. 21 but collection information won’t be available until next month. Early projections from the city's quarterly manager's report predict only $2.6 million will come through in the first collection. Dunn says that figure is expected to rise and the city still anticipates hitting its goal for the year.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/S...s-report-50-percent-losses-from-soda-tax.html
