Puerto Rico introduced a sales tax Wednesday. It affects prepared foods, nonprescription medicine, tobacco, soft drinks, alcohol and many other consumer goods. The tax ranges from 5.5 percent to 7 percent, depending on location.
STEVE INSKEEP, host: Starting today, tourists and residents of Puerto Rico will begin paying a sales tax. It affects prepared foods, non-prescription medicine, tobacco, soft drinks, alcohol and many other consumer goods. This tax ranges from five and a half percent to seven percent, depending on the location.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: Budget shortfalls force a partial government shutdown in Puerto Rico this year.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: Other news: a new survey by State Farm Insurance says car accidents involving deer are up nearly six percent over last year. The average property damage cost was $2,800.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: And ten food and drink companies, including McDonalds and Coca-Cola, have agreed to promote healthier lifestyles in ads aimed at children. Critics say the companies would do better by stopping selling foods loaded with fat and sugar.