The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle City Council has passed by a 7-1 vote a new tax on sugary beverages, saying that it will be an effective way "to raise millions for healthy food and education programs" while helping to "cut down on the consumption of sugary drinks that have little nutritional value and are linked to obesity, diabetes and other health problems."
The story notes that "businesses and labor groups spoke out against the tax, saying it would hurt small businesses and cost jobs. Other critics called it regressive, saying it would affect low-income consumers the most."
The tax - of 1.75 cents per ounce - is designed to be paid by distributors of sugared soft drinks (but not diet sodas), energy drinks, and other beverages, and it puts Seattle in the company of other cities (Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Oakland, California) that have passed such taxes. It is not a universal approach, however; Santa Fe, New Mexico, voters recently rejected the imposition of a soda tax.
The story notes that "businesses and labor groups spoke out against the tax, saying it would hurt small businesses and cost jobs. Other critics called it regressive, saying it would affect low-income consumers the most."
The tax - of 1.75 cents per ounce - is designed to be paid by distributors of sugared soft drinks (but not diet sodas), energy drinks, and other beverages, and it puts Seattle in the company of other cities (Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Oakland, California) that have passed such taxes. It is not a universal approach, however; Santa Fe, New Mexico, voters recently rejected the imposition of a soda tax.
- KC's View:
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Yet another reason, I suppose, to only drink coffee, beer and wine when I'm in Seattle.
Nothing wrong with that.
