As a reverend leading a congregation, my work doesn’t end with a sermon. Every week, my members tell me about their hardships. When they highlight a problem they see in our community, I think raising awareness is the least I can do.
That’s why I’m writing to talk about the beverage tax currently being considered by our General Assembly (H.B. 1469). Simply put, another tax on what we put in our grocery carts would hurt the very people that the General Assembly wants to help.
I think the people who support this tax on sugary beverages have their hearts in the right place. Some members of the General Assembly think that they can help our communities live healthier and happier lives through this new tax. But the reality is that the tax would be devastating for Maryland’s most vulnerable families.
First things first: This won’t address any of the actual reasons why so many people are struggling — it will just make groceries more expensive. Maryland is already an expensive place to live. So many families, particularly in working-class communities, are doing everything they can to make ends meet. But they face many obstacles. The cost of living is high. My members want to know how more expensive groceries are going to help solve any of those problems. Frankly, so do I.
In addition, as many people have pointed out, taxes on beverages unfairly impact our lower-income households the most. This has been demonstrated through studies of cities and states that have enacted these taxes. Why should we punish people who are just trying to get by? The people in my community need help, not another unfair burden to overcome.
It’s good that our General Assembly thinks that residents’ health is important. Healthy diets are important. It is evident that sugary drinks are not the primary culprits behind the increasing rates of obesity and diabetes. The national intake of sugar-sweetened beverages has decreased over the past decades. However, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes has unfortunately continued to rise. If there were a direct correlation, we would expect to see these health issues diminish as consumption drops. Sugar-sweetened beverages appear to be a convenient scapegoat. Getting rid of them will not make us healthier.
Let’s not punish working people who are just trying to feed their families. The General Assembly needs to help lift people up, not push them down.
The Maryland General Assembly members should reject this tax and work with community, faith and business leaders to find solutions to the real problems holding our state back from being as healthy and prosperous as it can be.
Kevin English is the pastor at the Open Bible Church in Baltimore.
