It's back-- the bill to slap a tax on soft drink sales returns to the state legislature for the sixth time. It's fizzled five times already, but that doesn't stop its supporters from trying. This session's version would bring back the gross receipts tax on soft drinks. That tax went away when lawmakers and then Governor Bill Richardson repealed the so-called food tax on groceries a few years ago. Supporters of the legislation argue that the soda pop habit is costly to the state's taxpayers. " We wind up spending a lot of state money dealing with the heavy sugar content of these soft drinks," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, (D) Albuquerque. "There's childhood obesity, diabetes, lots of their issues related to osteoporosis, and there are some connections to cardiovascular disorders." Ortiz y Pino's bill would distribute tax revenues from soft drink sales to county Medicaid programs around the state. In past sessions the soft drink industry has lobbied heavily against taxing soda pop. Governor Martinez has stated repeatedly that she is opposed to any tax increases.
