A SAMPLING OF YOUR RESPONSES:
Raise the cigarette tax and leave the kid drinks alone! Children have enough peer pressure now.... why add to their burden when they want a soda?
Louise Oades, South Charleston
Tell the senate education committee to take a paycut. This state always takes but never gives to the common person.. Pretty soon we will have to sell it back to virginia....
Rob, St Albans
It is stupid because, now soft drinks will have a tax that is more than that of alcoholic beverages.
Rhonda, Walton
I don't agree with the decision to raise the cost of soft drinks.They are going to keep upping the cost till no one can afford even a can of pop! There are other ways to get the money they need.We are already taxed to death.If they want to raise taxes on something, raise it on the alcohol and not the things our children like to have.When you struggle to make it with 3 kids alone...this doesn't help matters...especially when you have to tell your kids that our budget won't allow them to have these things anymore.Tax something that won't hurt the kids our the family as much. Just my opinion.
Ann, Danville,W.Va
Everyone has to drink something. There is no reason to put a tax on Juices, milk and soft drinks. Some people can barely pay for there children to have milk or juices now. And so does this mean we will have to put more money into welfare, so that they will have enought money to buy their children juice and milk. But all the others not on welfare will have to do with out other things for there children to have something to drink. I think it should be spread out over more than just putting one big tax on one thing. If you spread it out over several things I don't think people would mind as much.
Christi, South Charleston
Pay for Med Schools? .....jeez..... I thought tuition covers cost. Besides that, the current adminstration does have a good track record for raising money and putting it where its surpose to.
Charles Cassio, Hutnington
The average person wouldnt be able to buy soda anymore because of the increased price. I know that as a student theres no way that i could buy a soda at that price everyday nor could i buy milk. I think it stupid to even consider raising money this way. I understand they need the money for educational purposes but there has to be another way.
KK, Dunbar
Yes because the water raising people will need medical supplies
Victor, Leon
This state is a ridiculous mess. Tax the cigarettes more! It is out of the realm of possibility for this state to do the right or even logical thing. Sell the eastern panhandle, sell the northern panhandle and quit taxing us and our small businesses out of existence in this state..
Mark Yencha, Ravenswood
If the state medical schools need money, then they should raise it through fund raising like the rest of the state institutions. If they need money that desparately, why don't we take it from the collegiate athletic programs? Are sports more important than doctors? I think not.
Chris Mounts, Switzer, WV
Democrats have had the upper hand on this state for way to long. I belive the tax is to high and they didnt view all options. This is kids stuff, when are they going to get real !
Greg Bird, Hurricane
That is the stupidist thing I have ever heard you are taking milk from a child mouth that can't afford the tax. I get no type of assistance what about the people whom gets assistance, will it then be taxed
Elaine, Cannelton
West Virginia's are taxed to death and only looking at more tax on other things. If high government agencies would clean up their acts, lower over-head cost with high salaries on top executives, run programs with in their budgets, we as West Virginia's would live in a better state. Workers Comp's problem is nothing but the problems they created themselves. Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver is in the red because the people who's job is to run an efficient program have caused their own problems because they can't live with-in their budgets. If we ran our own personal family budgets like this people do we would all be bankrupted. It's time to hold these people in charged responsible for their own problems within their own agencies. It's passed time for government to step up to the plate and be held accountable for their lack of knowledge of how to run a program within thier alloted budget and learn how to stop people from milking the system. Enough Said!
Lee Jones, Harrisville
The only thing that is not taxed yet are your body parts and that is next.
Bob, Charleston, WV
The way I see it it's expensive enough as it is now without adding more tax. People will just drink other things and there won't be any money for the schools.
Vanessa, Summersville
It is wasting money!
Chrissy Echols, Bancroft
Its bad enough. that we have a food tax already. What are going to do next tax us for the air we breathe..And they wonder why everybody is leaving this state..
Lorna Austin, Cross Lanes
I won't buy a cola product inside this state ever again if the tax's go up. It's a poor way to raise money. I hope you guys can find a better way to raise money. West Virginia is so cheap, why not raise tobacco prices? This is like the tax on tea during the 1700's. You WILL have a lot of upset people.
Wes Massey, Winfield
I think it is terrible. I quit smoking 6 yrs ago for myself & mostly my grandchildren. Now I am going to pay tax on softdrinks, koolaid & chocolate milk which they like very much. This is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard! Next they will be taxing us all for taking a drink of water!
Alicia Doss, Sod
I think that is Absolutely Possitively terrible. How can they do that to us? Raise the price of soft drinks? {and then what} I don't think so.
Lori Stewart, Mt.Alto
Don't they get enough money in taxes from the adult population without imposing such a terrible thing on our children? These are drinks are kids love and many will now do without! That is just about as low as they can go. Shame on them!
Laura Kent, Sandyville, Wv 25275
Why? This will only make it harder for almost all west virginians. I think we should say down with the soft drink taxes and up with the tobacco and alcohol taxes. This will not affect as many and the soft drink tax will. And to hell with raising money for the medical schools, we need that money medical insurance.
J Scott, Huntington
It would probably be effective in raising the funding level. However, quintupling any tax should make us wonder where it is going to end. If our - ours by virtue of not having the will to make a statement at the ballot box - legislature can get away with this much of an increase, why should they think they couldn't get away with it again on some other tax? Ned Chilton summed it up - we're incapable of sustained outrage.
James Blake, Elkview
i think thay speend to much money on there own stuff shound not tax us
rick, charleston
They should tax the beer and wine not soft drinks.
Linnie M. King, Charleston, W V
poor!
D Karn, Spencer
That is all the Gov. thinks about. Why don't they stop or lower all the raises they give themselves and stop taking it out on the lower class people.
Diana Naylor, Fayetteville
Absolutely STUPID, No wonder there are no jobs at all. Nobody wants to come here. And you can't blame them. Bob Wise has done nothing for this state, he will not do anything for this state. He will make no stand against this outrageous tax on this jobless state. WE ARE THE POOREST STATE IN THE UNION YET OUR CAPITOL IS COVERED IN GOLD! Kind of Ironic don't you think.
Justin Hanna, Saint Albans
Are we not taxed enough in this state? We have one of the highest tax rates in the country and are one of the poorest states. How much more can the people of this state take? I'm counting the days when my son will graduate high school and my family can leave this money hungry state and take our tax dollars somewhere they are appreciated and used wisely. Let the state medical schools raise tuition if they need money and let the students pay like the rest of us who have attended expensive colleges and want to work in the medical field. I am a nurse and had to take out many loans to fund my education and it took me 10 years to pay for it. I am tired of being taxed to death for special interest groups. Please stop gouging the few taxpayers we have left in this state before you run us out, too.
Nina Cooper, Nellis
All i hear about is raising taxes on soft drinks and cigaretes. Have they forgotten about alchol? Why don't they ever raise taxes on that?
Sherri Rankin, South Charleston
If there gonna raise taxes on something to make money for med schools, raise the taxes on something that causes harm to people such as alcohol or tobacco!
Christie Mills, madison
Raise cigarette taxes by $1.00 a pack instead
Lisa Mahon, RIpley
Soda is all ready to high if you raise it more you would likely lose more than you would gain
Kevin Rowlands, Charleston
We have a enough taxes to pay we need a break
Tammy Hughes, Huntington
Once again they do not think of the everyday average person! I can not believe they want to tax KOOL AID! Good Grief! Tax Liquor if you need to tax something! They want to tax everything that involves our children SHAME ON THEM!
Terry VanKirk, Ravenswood
How can they keep raising the taxes when the ppl dont get a pay raise to cover it. My husbad hasnt had a raide in a year. its crazy.
Mrs Kroeplin, St Albans
Why not increase tax on beer, wine, and whiskey?
John Holovic
I think this is absurd. Why don't they put a tax on alcohol? They're so eager to put a tax on tobacco (and rightfully so); why don't they do the obvious and put a tax on alcohol. With all the death alcohol causes, it would only be justice that the money from alcohol should fund the medical schools. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Shirley J. Edens, Charleston
The state of West Virginia does not need three medical schools!
John lambey, Ivydale
I feel if there going to tax anything they should tax the heck out of alcohol. Why tax something like pop makes no since, im sure beer is well utilized as much as pop. So i say no! put the tax on alcohol and tobacco.
Shelia Gray, Charleston
I guess I'll quick drinking soft drinks! Water's better for you anyway. Of course, they'll eventually tax that too. Or I could move to another state. This one's going down hill.
Lee, Dunbar
Food, drink and clothing are foolish taxes from the start. The focus should be on property taxes. Or perhaps they do a deposit to generate the extra monies like in NY, MI, etc.
Greg Giordano, Charleston
I have a brother currently in Medical School in WV. But I also have two children who are 3 years of age and 6 months old. I think they need to re-think how this will effect kids, and people who work for these companies positions. I am totally against this. It is expensive enough for baby formula, Juice, chocolate Milk and soft drinks now.
Stori Pugh, Kenna
What a shame that they would even consider this drastically higher tax for drinks! Everything is so expensive anyway, let's make sure that we can't even enjoy a good softdrink every now and then!
Judy McGraw, Pineville
Go ahead and raise the taxes on soft drinks. It will help drive that business out of West Virginia Too.
C Thorn, Parkersburg
Why is it so hard to pass tobacco taxes in this state? Raise tobacco tax $2.00 instead! Are you all being paid by tobacco industries? Where are your backbones?
Linda Bricker, Dunbar
With the current outsourcing issue at CAMC and my husband looking to lose his job because of it, my family cannot afford to pay any additional taxes on anything and still be able to buy the products. The gasoline prices alone are making it hard for me to justify driving more than a few miles to get groceries. If the soft drink tax is raised, it would make Pepsi just one more thing we would have to do without. I believe that it is easy for the politicians with their large salaries to forget the financial difficulties faced by the average West Virginian. And I know several families that are already in much worse shape than we are. This isn't because they are lazy or don't want to work. It is because we pay the financial price that living in West Virginia causes. West Virginians are already overtaxed and underpaid compared to many other states. Why not just make it impossible to ever get ahead here?
Dee, Culloden
Soft drinks do not, directly, cause medical conditions that lead to death. The state should instead look at raising the tobacco tax.
James Jones, Nitro
They need to stop making up pay for their mistakes
Chris, Charleston
I think if they're going to raise taxes on anything it should be alcoholic beverages. They tax soft drinks, KoolAid and even juice, but they won't touch beer, wine and other such garbage.
David Ferrell, Poca
It appears that these so called public servants that spend thousand upon thousands of dollars to get elected to a job that pays almost nothing, go to Charleston year after year and can never think about cutting back on their baby programs, so they just say lets stick to the idiots that sent us here. It Sucks....
Robert McIntyre, Mineral Wells
No, we are taxed enough. Find another way to provide the funding. The other 48 states have found ways without taxing our drinks, we can to.
Andy, Hurricane, WV
No because u have to think bout people that doesnt have alot of money to be spending money on extra taxes for soft drinks maybe if they didnt raise it as much as 30 cents then it would be better
Nicole, Charleston
I believe this to be one of the dumbest things they could possibly do. They increased the tobacco tax with the thought that it would help keep young people from smoking. Why not increase the tax on alcohol? May that would keep young people from drinking and driving! Every year the schools do a big promotion during prom/graduation season about the effects of drinking and driving. so why not make it more expensive for them to get the alcohol? LEAVE THE TAX OFF OF THE DRINKS WHICH THE KIDS ENJOY!
Clem, Charleston
I think it's a great way.
Tena Moore, Wayne
I will say one thing, I will do my grocery shopping in Kentucky! Why not put the extra tax on wine or beer? That is what causes alot of deaths, accidents, breaking up of marriages and destroys little childrens lives. Soda is good and alot of descent folks drink it and I say if you want to tax, tax that junk and leave our soda pop and milk and juice alone!
Sheila Jude, Mingo County
I have an idea. Why don't they give themselves each a 5 - 10 % paycut and put that back into the budget. They already monopolize the gas prices. They only other thing widely used in this state by everyone is softdrinks. Back off people, not everyone has a high 2 figure salary or three figure salary. Some of us are just getting by.
Cynthia Harper, Charleston
Pretty soon it will be cheaper to drink beer instead of cokes and the kids will love it. Isn't this proposal thoughtful?
Larry Gray, Waldorf, MD
West Virginian's already are paying double and triple taxes on gas, food, beer and liquor and now cigerettes.As a state are we trying to run the middle and lower classes out? Why are we giving the farm away to corporations by not taxing them for years when they hire out of state workers and pull their profits and revenues out of WV.The legislature should spend their time more wisely. Why would we want to keep putting money into the medical schools if everyone we graduate is going to leave the state anyway because of the need for tort reform.
Dave Thomas, South Charleston
Let's put a stiff tax on liquor and beer. Let's share the burden. Not just single soda that kids drink. Let's get some of those adult things. How about an extra tax on porn joints.
Payne, Charleston
I think that although nobody wants to see more taxes, people who are avid soft drink consumers would pay the extra money, even though they mat not like it. This would be a way to raise the needed money, and people wouldn't miss a few extra cents. I think that as long as each individual can/bottle of the soft drinks weren't taxed extra, it would be a good way to raise the extra money.
Leslie Fox, Arnoldsburg
If they can tax soft drinks why can't they also tax alcohol. What about the three medical schools, just raise tuition to pay for new equipment. Our so called legislature have their head up where the sun never shines.
Mona Bowe, Charleston
The people in West Virginia are Taxed to Death now. If they have to add tax to something why not Alcohol. That seems to be all they drink in our Collages and Universities now !
James E. Watson, Madison, WV
Dont raise taxes on soft drinks.. choc milk, juice and sports juice.. is good for people.. maybe not pop.. but hey is coffee good for you.. and beer?
Shelia, Charleston
I can live with it if everyone else can. Water is free. After folks get enough of Republicans and Republicrats, they'll change their tune when the election rolls around!
Jack, Alum Creek
Why should we (the taxpayers) fund medical schools when we can't even keep doctors in the state? Our state government continues to propose more taxes to an already over-taxed residency in an effort to keep the state afloat. When will they ever learn?
Brian Estep, Hurricane
That is what election time is for, to vote on bonds etc. To fund exactly this type of operation. the legislature needs to pass a bill to stop itsself from trying to capitalize on our habits and do it the old fashioned way and raise everyone's taxes a little bit instead of smokers and popaholics funding everything that they can think of.
G.Williams, Bomont
That is crazy! We are already taxed to death! The goverment is taking advantage of our novel addictions- too bad we can't tax street drugs!
Lisa Diaz, Rockingham
How about an additional tax on Alcohol? This would serve TWO to meet two goals - raise money AND reduce the amount of people killed by drunk drivers! I have yet to read about anyone in an accident from drinking kool-aid and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Roger Samples, South Charleston
What about beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages? If they're going to tax one drink industry why not the other. Are they afraid to dig into the pocket of those drinkers? It makes me wonder, and it really upsets me.After all they are in the money business right? If they watch TV they will see all the commercials about how drinking and driving kills. Cola Cola, Pepsi,and juice doesn't. Who are they trying to kid? I'm sure that would bring in some REVENUE for them. And then they think that if they raise the tobacco tax that will stop kids from buying them. We all know thats a joke. If a child pays whatever for drugs, then extra for cigarettes is nothing. If they want them they will get them. I think the Comm. should get their heads out of the clouds and be realistic.
Karen Huffman, Clendenin
I don't agree this is the way to handle this
Christy Perrine, Webster Springs
They already taxed me on cigarettes. I don't care what it's for. I think this is ridiculous. They keep taxing us to bail out the things our state keeps doing wrong. If they'd fix their way of budgeting and get some more business in this state they wouldn't have such a problem.
Laura Minko, Huntington
This is a sorry state
Steve, St.Albans
West Virginia has taxed it's people to death. it appears that the state doesn't want people to live here, and are tring there best to continue to push poeple out to live in other states. Because of there spending problems we the poeple of WV get a quick fix tax put on us so the state can sit back and do nothing about there real spending problems.
Robert Mollohan, Richwood,WV
Completely outrageous! This sounds like a sin tax What, is drinking cola's now in the same category as smoking ciggarettes and drinking alcohol?!
Elizabeth Gibson, Hurricane
This will hurt the soft drink industry and taxes on food and drink are hard on everyone no matter their income. Must be a better way.
Carolyn M. Owen, Charleston
Raising taxes on soft drinks, Kool-Aid, juice and milk products! This is crazy! Alcoholic beverages taxes don't even budge. Does this make any sense to anyone? I would agree with it the other way around.
Debbie, Charleston
I am assuming that this would only affect those in school and not the whole public buying these products in the stores,because raising taxes just on certain drinks or foods would be outrages. Why don't they take the new tax from the cigarettes and give some of that to the schools. Why does the public always get the shaft. One last thing, STAY AWAY FROM MY PEPSI!
Amanda Wright, Craigsville
Tax, tax, tax.. is that all the government wants to do any more.. what would happen if they tax the poor people so much that they cant afford to work? this country would shut down and then we would have no more taxes. KEEP it up uncle sam we are headed toward ruin. we dont have to worry about a foreign country coming in here and wipeing us out our own government is going to do that for them. LEAVE THINGS ALONE before you mess up a good thing
William Rowe, Welch
Wva is taxed to death now
Tim Lawson,
I think we are taxed enough! If the tax money is spent right we would be just fine. We had money for our govment to spend before bush took office!
Bob Tonnellier, Mt. Nebo
Are these doctors going to stay in WV after we pay for their ed.? Why not put this tax on beer & etc. this causes accidents that needs the drs.
S Mann, Ripley ,WV
I think that this is a good way to help the medical schools for one that is where my cousin is going two that is good way to save money or raise money however you want to say it.
Scarlet Lawson, Sophia
No,do not tax soft drinks like this! TAX HARD DRINKS this way!
Daryl, Alum Creek
What about those people without suitable drinking water. Not everyone has public water. Why don't they raise the tax on alcohol? Consuming soft drinks does not impair people; consuming alcohol impairs people.
Cate Brown, Charleston, WV
I think they should find better ways to spend the money they are already raising, instead of taking more money from people who are struggling under the current economy.
Brian Szuch, Mount Hope
Right on!
Susan Sloan, Charleston
All the state legislature knows how to do is raise taxes more and more and more. Why don't they ask everyone to just give them there pay check each payday and get it over with
James Deitz, Mt. Lookout
I think that the state could find another way to help the medical schools other than the tax, just where is all of our tax money going in this state? If they tax all of these differen drinks, people might just turn to alcohol instead, it might just be cheaper! (and that won't be good for anyone!)
Dawn W., Clay
While I think that the youth of today does drink a little too much soft drinks, the taxes should go up on alcoholic beverages because alcohol is one of the main causes of so many deaths each year. Soft Drinks are partly the reason why we have so many obese people living in this state. Soft Drinks are unhealthy but at the same time, we need to get the young people of the beer and wine so that we are able to be on of the healthier states in the nation.
Joshua Bradford, Scott Depot
No. we have to much tax as it is. food tax soft drink tax is a bad idea. medical schools need to find a way to support themselves thru services and goods to the public. why would i support a tax to a medical school in the first place?
Everett Hager, Huntington
I think raising the tax on alcoholic beverages makes more sense. After all, these are the drinks that cause LOTS of medical problems, eg brain damage, liver damage, and many other physical and mental complications. Also consider the medical problems and or deaths that come from vehicle accidents caused by alcoholic drinks. There are not too many auto accidents caused by soda pop, chocolate milk or juice!
Barbara Jones, Ravenswood
You can do without your teeth but not you liver.Why not tax alcholic beverages.How many cases of soda-pop accidents have you heard of.
Greg Moore, Lizemores
Tax something everyone uses. Food, raise the food tax. It won't hurt the poor. People on food stamps don't pay the tax. It is unfair to tax certain segmants of society. Cigarettes, soft drinks, maybe beer. Tax something that effects everyone!
Susan, Charleston
Come on WV lets wake up. Only one other state does this. We are taxed to death in WV. To be one of the poorest states in America WV keeps taxing the working people till we have to leave the state, to one that doesn't tax us on everything and I can afford to live on the money I make instead of supporting the state that keeps hitting me with more taxes. I have already had to move out of WV twice. I guess eventually all WV citizens will be taken care of by the state because we will all be unemployed here. This tax will cause a hardship for Pepsi and Coca Cola that employees WV citizens and force them out of WV. In the Charleston/Huntington area the location is close enough to other states, people will cross borders to purchase drinks, as well as companies will crossing borders to relocate businesses. Please find another way to support WV medical schools. After all these students will not be staying in WV after they receive training in these schools, they can'! t afford Malpractice insurance. WAKE UP!
Jane, Nitro
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