What is an Obesity Tax?  Well, according to NY state governor, David Patterson, it is a new tax idea to raise money to cut the state deficit. The tax would be applied on all non-diet sodas sold in New York State. This is completely outrageous. How can the governor get away with this?

Well, it is only a proposal. In fact, recent scientific studies have shown that people who drink diet soda also gain weight. So his logic seems a little skewed. And therefore, seems a little unfair to single out soda when beverages such as fruit juice can contribute to obesity.

The Governor is trying everything in his power to make up for shortfalls in the state deficit. He also plans on raising cash by applying the following tax moves:

reviving the state sales tax on clothing
Changing funding of hospitals and health care that could shift more health costs on individuals and employers
Lifting the limit on how much state tax can be charged for gasoline
Eliminating legal exemptions in the income tax that he considers “loop holes”
Making further adjustments to make sure all taxpayers are paying their fair share
Increasing taxes on insurance policies
Increaseing by $600 the tuition (about 15%) for state residents attending the State University of New York and City University of New York.

His 2009-2010 budget proposal is an effort to cutting spending and increasing revenues to deal with deficits he projects will total $47 billion over three years. The current budget is about $120 billion.

One bright spot of his budget proposal includes a call for an increase in the welfare grant beginning in 2010, the first since 1990; changes to make more poor New Yorkers eligible for government-subsidized health care; and more services for returning veterans. He proposes

Making it easier for the poor and working poor to get government health coverage by eliminating some anti-fraud measures, including face-to-face interviews, finger printing, and an asset test.
Allowing 19- and 20-year-olds who do not live with their parents to be eligible to enroll in Family Health Plus, the state health care plan, under the same rules as if they did live with parents.
Income-eligible public workers will also be able to enroll in the state’s Family Health Plus coverage.
seek a federal waiver to allow adults at 200 percent of the federal poverty level - about $20,800 a year - to be eligible for Family Health Plus
Take $282 million in funding for graduate medical education and redirect to the state’s pool to cover the care of indigents at teaching hospitals and to
Increase funds for indigent care in clinics.
Hire two workers to help alert returning veterans and their families of government services and to create a mobile outreach service that will travel the state to meet with veterans.
Increase funding to food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
Increase funding in programs to prevent lead poisoning in children, mostly in poor city neighborhoods.
Create a $1 million obesity prevention program.

If obesity is an issue in your life and you’re looking for ways to lose weight, here are some great weight loss ideas.