This November the people of Washington state will vote on whether local governments should be allowed to place new taxes on soda and other items, according to local KOMO News. The Secretary of State’s Office certified initiative 1634, which would appear on the ballot. Supporters of the initiative submitted over 380,000 signatures last month, which was far more than needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot.
The measure would not prevent the state from imposing taxes on sodas or other sweetened beverages but would prevent cities and counties from imposing bans.
Supporters of the ban say it would hurt low-income and working class families the most. The opponents say cutting down on sugary drinks will help lower diseases such as obesity and diabetes. This ban, if put into effect, would not affect the ban in Seattle imposed earlier this year. The Seattle ban raised $4,446,000 in its first three months, which was nearly a million dollars more than predicted.
Those supporting I-1634 raised more than $6 million combined. Companies that contributed include The Coca-Cola Co., giving nearly $3 million, PepsiCo, Inc. contributing more than $2 million and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. giving nearly $1 million.
