Rally Against Soda Tax Planned Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers To Rally At City Hall Thursday

Organizers of a rally against Gov. David A. Paterson's proposed tax on soda are hoping that the public will show their support on the steps of city hall Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Paterson has proposed in his 2010-2011 budget an excise tax on beverage syrups and soft drinks at a rate of $7.68 per gallon for syrups and $1.28 per gallon or a "penny an ounce" for bottled drinks and powders.

Scott M. Wright, whose family owns Pepsi-Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers Inc. where he works as a route supervisor, said that the tax will negatively impact the Ogdensburg soda distributor as well as bars and restaurants across the county.

Costs for fountain soda for bars and restaurants are expected to increase by 74 percent, according to Mr. Wright with the new tax.

He says that when looking at numbers from 2008, the company would have had to pay $2.9 million to the state with the new tax.

"That's $2.9 million that's taken out of St. Lawrence County's economy that would have been sent to Albany," said Mr. Wright.

Mr. Wright said that he and others are organizing the rally because the tax, called by some the "Obesity Tax," hits hardworking New Yorkers who may have trouble paying the higher costs for soda.

"It's going to add more dollars to everybody's grocery list when nobody can afford it," said Mr. Wright, "This rally is for anybody who is tired of paying new taxes on any given day."

While supporters of the tax say that it will help curb obesity, Mr. Wright feels that it's a way for the state to close down soda distributors.

At one time, there were 18 distributors state-wide, now it's down to five, according to Mr. Wright.

The rally will begin at 4:30 p.m. and all are welcome to attend to voice their opinions.

"Enough is enough. It's time to get our voices heard," said Mr. Wright, "Please bring anybody and everybody along with you that has had enough of unfair taxes being passed on to New Yorkers to fund Albany."

Ogdensburg Pepsi-Cola Bottlers appears to have supporters in the Ogdensburg City Council as well. On Monday night, the city council will vote on a resolution opposing the new soda tax.

"I think the city council realizes our 44 jobs are pretty important to this county's economy," said Mr. Wright.