Latest news with #ChildCareScholarshipProgram
CBS News
18-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Proposed bill would tax sugary drinks in Maryland, allocate revenue to student meal programs
A bill introduced in Maryland could impose taxes on certain sugary drinks with some of the revenue going to support programs for students across the state. The For Our Kids Act, or House Bill 1469, defines sugary drinks as non-alcoholic, carbonated or non-carbonated beverages that contain added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners. Natural fruit or vegetable juices, milk, infant formula and beverages for medical use would not be taxed under the bill. The bill would tax distributors for selling sugary drinks, syrups and powders to retailers starting in July 2026. Beverages would be taxed at 2 cents per ounce, and syrups and powders would be taxed at 2 cents per ounce of the beverage that can be produced according to the instructions. The rate of the Sugary Beverage Distributor tax would increase in 2027 and each following year based on the consumer price index. If there is a decline or no growth in the index, the tax rate would stay the same for that year. Drinks sold to the government, sold for resale outside of the U.S., or sold to other distributors rather than retailers would be exempt from the tax. Revenue would support programs for children At the end of each fiscal year, $189 million in revenue from the Sugary Beverage Distributor tax would be allocated to the Healthy School Meals for All Fund and $50 million would go to the Child Care Scholarship Program. The remaining revenue would go to the state's general fund. The revenue sent to the Healthy School Meals fund would provide funding for the State Free Feeding Program and In-Classroom Breakfast program. Both programs, created in a partnership between the Department of Education and county boards, would distribute funding to eligible non-public schools. Health impacts of sugary drinks The bill has gained support from the American Heart Association. In a statement, the organization said the bill would provide the revenue needed to address educational needs and food security while also curbing the health impacts of sugary drinks. According to the American Heart Association, nearly two-thirds of youth consume at least one sugary drink per day, contributing to health risks like tooth decay, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. "The For Our Kids Act represents a critical advancement in our mission to safeguard the health of children in Maryland. By taking strong action to curb the overconsumption of sugary drinks, while providing critical revenue to programs that benefit all families, we are making a powerful statement about prioritizing our children's well-being," said cardiovascular nurse epidemiologist Yvonne Commodore-Mensah. The organization said 40,000 deaths in the U.S. are linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks.
CBS News
13-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland approves BWI Airport concession management contract, $396 million in state projects
Maryland's Board of Public Works approved $369 million in projects during a meeting Wednesday along with a retail management contract at BWI Airport. The contract allows Fraport Baltimore Partnership, LLC to manage and renovate the retail and restaurant services at the airport. Fraport USA was founded in 1991 and was the first company to launch branded retail in airport terminals in the U.S., a ccording to its website. The approved contract could generate about $39.4 million in revenue during its first full year, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Fraport has also committed to investing $31.5 million in improvements and would pay the state a 90% share of gross concession revenue, the board said. According to Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, the contract would also generate revenue for the state's Aviation Administration as well as sales tax for the state. It would also make way for new vendors in the airport and lower the risk of current vendors leaving. "I just think remaining in a month-to-month contract means empty food and retail spaces in a brand-new concession space and that is a huge risk to the state," the comptroller said. "Nearly 30 million people travel through BWI annually, and it would not only be embarrassing not to have any concessions in a new space to offer travelers. But we would be losing millions of dollars in sales tax brought to us, often by people from other states." Board approves several projects The Board of Public Works approved a total of 70 projects during its Wednesday meeting, which will cost $396,648,102.20. The approved projects include: Grant agreements for six project recipients in four counties and Baltimore City. The total value of those projects is about $2 million. $16 million in awards to prime certified small businesses $17 million in awards to certified minority business enterprise primes 10 items awarded with participation goals for minority businesses Two items awarded with participation goals for veteran-owned small businesses The board also approved $3.6 million in funding for Wicomico County's first state park. The park will be built on a piece of the Long Hill property, a 445-acre 18th-century plantation along Wetipquin Creek that is listed in the National Registry of Historical Places. Previous approvals In January 2025, the board approved more than $1.23 billion in projects across the state, including $135,000 in revenue bonds to finance improvements at Oriole Park in Camden Yards and $387 from the Maryland Transit Administration for new hybrid buses. During the January meeting, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore committed a record $605 million in ongoing investments to the Department of Education for a contract with Deloitte Consulting to administer the Child Care Scholarship Program.
