Once again politicians are hoping to shakedown consumers for more tax dollars with beverage taxes, this time in Seattle. As the editor of Seattle Magazine points out, the tax is “grossly unfair.”

In a recent article, Knute Berger hits on all the reasons why the proposed beverage tax in Seattle is a bad idea. First and foremost, these taxes hurt the poor and working class, burdening their already strained grocery budgets. Additionally, as we’ve seen in other cities, regressive taxes can cause layoffs and a decline in sales for businesses all over the city.

Politicians may think raising the price of common grocery items is an easy fix to a budget gap, but they should consider the harm they cause to local families and small businesses not to mention the job and income loss that may follow.