NYS Senate Back to Work; Calorie Labeling Bill Still a Priority of Governor Paterson

Governor Paterson continues to maintain that a calorie labeling bill is a priority for passage this year. Now that the NYS Senate has finally gotten back to work, we will let you know if and when the Senate begins to take action on calorie labeling. As you’ll recall, the Assembly passed a calorie labeling bill, A2720-A, in the last days of the session.

Action Alert 1: Are You a Constituent of Representative Dan Maffei, 25th District of NY?
If you are a constituent of U.S. Representative Dan Maffei, please send his office an email asking the Congressman to co-sponsor the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, H.R. 1324. We’ve had little luck getting school nutrition standards passed in NYS but this strong federal legislation would set science-based standards for food and drink sold in schools.

Please email your letter to Representative Maffei’s aide, Mr. Hasan Sarsour: hasan.sarsour@mail.house.gov

Action Alert 2: Support the Federal Soft Drink Tax by Clicking on the Link Below
Big Beverage killed Governor Paterson’s proposed sugar-sweetened beverage tax last winter. But now the U.S. Senate and House are considering a soft drink tax to help pay for health care reform.

Big Beverage is fighting this tax with big bucks. In yesterday’s Washington Post, “Americans Against Food Taxes,” a coalition that includes the beverage association and other industry groups, ran an ad to oppose soft drink taxes. Not surprisingly, they bill themselves on their website - www.nofoodtaxes.com as a coalition:

“…of concerned citizens - responsible individuals, financially strapped families, small and large businesses in communities across the country - opposed to the Government’s proposed tax hike on food and beverages, including soda, juice drinks, and flavored milks. The coalition has twin primary aims: 1) To promote a healthy economy and healthy lifestyles by educating Americans about smart solutions that rely upon science, economic realities and common sense; and 2) To prevent the enactment of this regressive and discriminatory tax that will not teach our children how to have a healthy lifestyle, and will have no meaningful impact on child behavior or public health, but will have a negative impact on American families struggling in this economy.”

To send an email to your U.S. Senator and Representative in support of soft drink taxes, please click on this link: http://takeaction.cspinet.org/campaign/national_sodatax.