State Senator Tom Apodaca, who introduced SB 876, which would tax prepared foods and beverages:
had to send his bill back to the Senate’s finance committee for “another look” after the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association raised concerns that the tax unfairly penalizes their customers.
The finance committee should report that studies show customers are not being penalized because they really want energy from synergistic streetscapes more than they could possibly want affordable food. What’s more, every dollar collected by the food tax would leverage another $265 for the community. What’s even more, the Laffer curve does not exist, and people do not make choices based on price. They pay whatever government requires, even if it is more than their net worth and credit limit.