Former Detroit Mayor
“Sex, lies, and texting” is a popular phrase often linked with the name of former Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick.
In January of 2008 Kilpatrick was forced to pay restitution payments to the city for his convictions. However, Kilpatrick took it upon himself to cut back those restitution payments as much as 50%. His reasoning for this, was that his salary had dropped from $20,000 a month, to $10,000 a month. His attorney cited Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner’s order stating that his payments were made adjacent to his salary. Prosecutor Kim Worthy says differently. She states that according to the county he has violated his probation while failing to show proof of a salary cut. In the meantime, Kilpatrick’s accomplice, Christine Beatty has yet to pay any restitution. Her lawyer claims it is due to unemployment.
New Sugar Tax?
If tobacco tax and seat-belt legislation passed then why shouldn’t a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages be enforced?
A group of Harvard Children’s specialists strongly feel this tax could eventually control the obesity and diabetic problems faced among young children. While the link is strong between sugar-obesity-and diabetes; that may not be the only benefit accrued from enforcing this tax.
“A national tax of 1 cent per ounce of sugar-sweetened beverage would yield $14.9 billion in the first year,” according to authors from The Journal.
Researchers know this won’t solve the entire problem of obesity, but placing tax on tobacco and enforcing a seat-belt law doesn’t solve those issues either. This tax can be a start to the end of the increase in obesity and diabetes among children.
On Detroit brief, headline is short and tight, but too vague. Your conversational, broadcast style is good, but just watch wordiness: e.g. drop ‘however’ at the beginning of second sentence, 2nd paragraph.
On sugar tax brief, good headline. Glad you included the quote.