Mayor Nutter: No Food Stamps to Buy Sugary Drinks

AP reports that Michael Nutter was one of 18 big-city mayors to sign a letter asking the feds to keep food-stamp recipients from buying soft drinks and other sugary drinks:

In a letter sent to congressional leaders on Tuesday, the mayors say it’s “time to test and evaluate approaches limiting” the use of the subsidies for sugar-laden beverages, in the interest of fighting obesity and related diseases.

“We need to find ways to strengthen the program and promote good nutrition while limiting the use of these resources for items with no nutritional value, like sugary drinks, that are actually harming the health of participants,” (New York) Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose office released the letter, said in a statement. “Why should we continue supporting unhealthy purchases in the false name of nutrition assistance?”

Our mayor has been trying for years to pass a tax on sugary drinks. It should be clear by now, Philadelphians: He’ll get them from you one way or the other!