MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle mayor tweaks soda tax proposal, adds diet drinks

Apr 27, 2017, 10:26 AM | Updated: 1:11 pm

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s announced a few tweaks to his proposed soda tax, including slightly lowering what had originally been a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks.

RELATED: Seattle mayor swaps property tax for county sales tax

“We will raise the ongoing $18 million dollars for our education and health agenda with a 1.75 cents per ounce tax,” Murray said.

But now, Murray’s plan will also tax diet sodas. The mayor says he decided to include diet drinks to make the tax more fair, because numbers show more wealthy white people drink diet soda, while minorities drink regular soda.

“To those who say that we are resorting to a progressive or a regressive tax, I say, you know what is more regressive? You know what is really taking money out of African-American communities? Tolerating an education system that is failing students of color every day and leaving them without a future and giving them food that will only lead to health problems.”

Murray originally proposed the soda tax back in February. The proposed tax would help fund new investments in education, as recommended by the Education Summit Advisory Group. The recommendations are “aimed at reducing disparities between white and African-American/Black students and other historically underrepresented students of color,” he said. Investments would also be made for “Birth-to-Five” programs such as the expansion of the Parent-Child Home Program, as well as expanding access to healthy food.

Since making the proposal, more than 100 businesses have responded, saying it would negatively impact sales.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

7 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

10 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

12 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

14 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

14 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

16 hours ago

Seattle mayor tweaks soda tax proposal, adds diet drinks