Assemblyman Joe Giglio (R,I,C-Gowanda) today reiterated his opposition to Governor Paterson’s proposed beverage tax on soft drinks, iced tea, juices, and sports drinks. This new tax proposal is part of a $1 billion tax-and-fee package being pushed by the administration in its 2010-2011 Executive Budget.

“This beverage tax is an unhealthy, band-aid approach to fixing the state’s fiscal woes,” said Giglio. “Especially at a time when families are already overtaxed, industries are struggling to stay solvent and the economy is not performing well, the governor should be finding more responsible and sensible ways to tackle the deficit and balance the budget. Adding another tax will only add insult to injury.”

“The state should start budget reform by overhauling its broken Medicaid system,” stated Giglio. “By closing loopholes and eliminating waste in just this program alone, the state could save billions and taxpayer money could be put to better use.”

New York State spends more in Medicaid than the states of Florida and Texas combined and more than California, which has a substantially higher population than New York. The state spends almost 50% of its statewide budget toward health care and related programs to assist taxpayers.

“I cannot and will not support a tax that will place an additional $1 billion on consumers, force soft-drink employees out of work, and place punitive restrictions on individual choice,” concluded Giglio.