Soda tax goes to Santa Fe voters May 2

[TexasTowelie]

After more than three hours of testimony at a public hearing that drew hundreds to City Hall, the Santa Fe City Council late Wednesday decided to ask voters this spring whether the city should impose a tax on sugary beverages to generate funds for early childhood education programs.

With Councilor Ron Trujillo dissenting, the mayor and council majority adopted a series of last-minute amendments before finally voting to schedule a special election for May 2.

Statements from both supporters and opponents highlighted what already has become a stark division in the community over the wisdom of joining municipalities in other states that have adopted such a tax. The issue pits those who see it both as a health issue and a way to fund prekindergarten education against those who argue that it will cost jobs, prompt consumers to shop elsewhere and unfairly burden certain businesses and taxpayers.

The proposal to levy a 2-cents-an-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, from sodas and energy drinks to Kool-Aid concentrates and Gatorade, is being championed by Mayor Javier Gonzales, who made city funding of early childhood education a key part of his platform when he campaigned for mayor three years ago.

Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/soda-tax-goes-to-voters-may/article_c7182d51-751d-527d-b970-e2d40d54dc7f.html