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Economy

Bill Proposes Tax On Sodas

Those sugary sodas you love may cost you more in the future. Democratic state Assemblyman Bill Monning has introduced a measure to add a one cent per ounce tax to sweetened beverages like sodas and energy drinks. Monning said such drinks are a leading cause of childhood obesity.

“This is not a new idea,” Monning said. “This legislation has been pursued successfully in other states. It is responding to a public health crisis. Really a public health epidemic.”

Monning said the tax is on soda manufacturers. However he expects that would be passed on to consumers. Diet drinks are not included in the measure. It’s estimated that such a tax would raise $1.7 billion a year. The money would go to a newly created Children’s Health Promotion Fund for school districts to promote health, nutrition and physical education.

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The American Beverage Association, which lists Coca-Cola and Pepsi among its members has referred to such taxes as “money grabs.”