It seems like for every budget problem politicians face these days they propose a tax to fix it. Over the past several years, more than 30 states and cities across the country have proposed or introduced beverage taxes. All have failed except for one in Berkeley, Calif., a very pro-tax city.

Recently in Alabama the governor floated the idea of a beverage tax of five cents per 12 ounces or one to two cents per ounce.  A tax like the one proposed by Gov. Robert Bentley will raise grocery bills and have an enormous negative effect on the local economy according to Matthew Dent, president and chief operating officer of Buffalo Rock Company, which employs 2,100 people.

"It's a job killer and would have an enormous trickle effect throughout our economy," Dent told AL.com.

When will politicians learn that taxes on common grocery items are unpopular with the American public and are harmful to local businesses? More than 500 Alabama small businesses and more than 6,000 Alabama citizens have already joined the “Stop the Alabama Beverage Tax” coalition. They’re sending letters to their lawmakers telling them that the tax is a bad idea.

Politicians should focus on what matters most – education, jobs and the economy – and leave the grocery shopping to us.

To learn more about the Alabama beverage tax visit StoptheAlabamaBeverageTax.com.