Taxes on foods and beverages are especially harmful because they impact lower income families, who already spend a higher percentage of their income on these items, the most. This is why we are scratching our heads at measure being proposed in Fairfax County, Va., to tax prepared foods.

The ballot measure proposes adding a 10 percent tax on every kind of meal at every kind of restaurant in the county. This burdensome tax would also be levied on prepared foods sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and coffee shops.

If passed, the tax will affect everyone in the county, but it will hit hardest families who are already struggling to make ends meet. And for many local businesses already operating on razor thin margins, the tax will cost them valuable time, money and resources. The government should tighten its own belt instead of reaching into the pockets of hardworking families and small businesses.

To learn more about the proposed tax visit No Fairfax Food Tax, and read more about why taxes on common grocery items are regressive at Americans for Food and Beverage Choice.