Nevada assemblyman proposes fast food tax

Matt Woolbright, Associated Press

Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 | 3:56 p.m.

Courtesy

Assemblyman Harvey Munford

The price of many fast food items would tick up slightly if one assemblyman's bill makes it through the Nevada Legislature.

Democratic Las Vegas Assemblyman Harvey Munford introduced Assembly Bill 122 during the floor session Thursday. The bill proposes a 5-cent tax, paid by the customer, for each item over 500 calories.

Munford says he hopes the tax would deter people from eating out so frequently. He adds that the revenue would be directed to helping hospitals and improving Nevada's education system.

In a release, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Foods in Washington, D.C., said the tax is "misguided" and called on Munford to abandon the effort.

Munford says the growing problem of obesity and poor health from excessive fast food consumption inspired his bill.