The health-conscious mayor of San Francisco wants to impose a special tax on stores that sell sugary soft drinks. Mayor Gavin Newsom says the tax—the size of which has yet to be determined—will be based on each store’s sale of high-fructose corn syrup, the main ingredient in most sodas. “There is a well-established nexus between obesity—which is caused by high-fructose corn syrup—and the increased health-care costs for the city,” said Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for Newsom. Ballard assured reporters that “the mayor has no intention of imposing a fee on pizza.”
High-powered executives and other professionals are choosing to rent pets rather than own them. Offering what it calls “a unique alternative to full-time pet ownership,” the California-based FlexPetz, with branches in most major cities, rents out its dogs for $39.95 per day, with a $75 surcharge if the dog is returned late. “It’s like I am the uncle to the dog,” said Manhattan neurologist Farng-Yang Foo. “I can take it out for walks and take care of it. But I don’t have to worry about it being alone during the day.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
6 stylish homes in Portland, OregonFeature Featuring a wall of windows in Collins View and a historic ballroom in Portland Heights
-
What's next for US interest rates?The Explainer Stubborn inflation forestalls anticipated rate cuts
