Why this assemblywoman wants to reinstate sales tax on candy

SACRAMENTO – In 1992, Califoia voters exempted candy from sales tax. Now, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia wants to reverse that action and add an estimated $1 billion to state revenue.

Garcia, D-Downey, the same member who wants to exempt feminine hygiene from sales tax, said she plans to introduce a constitutional amendment that would go to voters in 2018. She will need a two-thirds vote from the state Assembly and Senate.

“In our sales tax, we tax everything but over the years we’ve exempted things we find to be essential,” Garcia said.

“In 1992, a case was made by that (candy and snack products) was essential to poor people’s diets,” she said. “But we now know that (candy) is part of what leads to tooth decay, childhood obesity and diabetes.”

A recent UCLA Study entitled “Prediabetes: Generation in Jeopardy” found that 55 percent of the adult population in Califoia is affected by diabetes, with 33 percent of young adults being diagnosed at prediabetic, Garcia said.

Garcia said she’s not sure where the money will go. One possibility is 40 percent going for health care and the rest going to local and state govements.

“I’m asking the public to speak out,” she said. “If they’re in favor, where do they want the money to go? I do think we need to have a discussion.”

There already is opposition.

“This is just another way to generate more tax revenue at a time when Califoia has a $115 billion budget – record budget in Califoia,” said David Wolfe, legislative director for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Wolfe said Garcia’s proposal is one of many what he calls “sin taxes.” Others include tobacco and soda taxes.

“Essentially, what you’re doing here is the legislature is rooting for citizens to engage in bad behavior – whether it’s eating junk food or drinking soda – to generate more revenue,” he said.

The question is what is essential and is candy one of those, Garcia said.

“We tax lots of things that are non essential,” she said. “We tax napkins and clothing. We need to define what an essential (product) is.”

Garcia will need help from Republicans – three in the Assembly and one in the state Senate – to put the tax on the ballot. That also assumes all Democrats vote for it.

Advertisement