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He wants the legislature to pass the proposed tax on sodas and other sugary drinks, saying it would raise revenue and protect kids' health.

Opponents of the plan protested in Albany yesterday.

Paterson has proposed the penny-per-ounce measure to help close the state's budget gap.

The mayor, who has enacted bans on smoking and trans fats, says the soda tax is a good idea.

"An average sugar drink, a small can, has 10 spoonfuls of sugar in it. The kids are getting an enormous percentage of their calories in sugar drinks; there's no argument about that,” said Bloomberg. “Do you want to help kids who aren't old enough to make those kinds of decisions, don't understand the long-term health implications? Isn't that adult's and parent's job, and society's job and government's job?"

Weighing the preference for healthier options versus cheaper options, New Yorkers opinions were mixed.

"I feel like it's putting a band aid on a gushing wound,” said one New Yorker. “I just wish that there would be more creative ways to solve a problem like this.”

“I believe it's a healthier thing for kids, as far as the tax is concerned, but it's also hard on the working person,” said another.

“Too much sugar, too many fat kids, and too many fat adults," said a third.

The debate comes as one trade group says drinks in schools are getting healthier.

The American Beverage Association says the number of beverage calories shipped to schools dropped by 88 percent between 2004 and 2009.