Well, New Yorkers can rest a little easier. The proposed soda tax has been shot down. It’s main proponent, Gov. David Paterson, is taking the defeat in stride:

New York Gov. David Paterson admitted Thursday one of his most talked-about tax proposals, an obesity tax on sugary drinks, is fizzling.

But he said it popped the right question.

In meeting with college students over his budget, Paterson told the young New Yorkers not worry about his soda tax because the Legislature won’t go for it. But he said it has served its purpose of raising awareness of childhood obesity.