City of Berkeley Sugary Beverages and Soda Tax Question, Measure D (November 2014)

Now there is a tax on the same product based on the amount and not based on anything other than that...

City of Berkeley Sugary Beverages and Soda Tax Question, Measure D (November 2014)

Ballot question

The question on the ballot was:

Shall an ordinance imposing a 1¢ per ounce general tax on the distribution of high-calorie, sugary drinks (e.g., sodas, energy drinks, presweetened teas) and sweeteners used to sweeten such drinks, but exempting: (1) sweeteners (e.g., sugar, honey, syrups) typically used by consumers and distributed to grocery stores; (2) drinks and sweeteners distributed to very small retailers; (3) diet drinks, milk products, 100% juice, baby formula, alcohol, or drinks taken for medical reasons, be adopted? Full text The second section of the ordinance, entitled Purpose and Intent, is below: Section 2. Purpose and Intent A. Based on the findings set forth above, the purpose of this Ordinance is to diminish the human and economic costs of diseases associated with the consumption of sugary drinks by discouraging their distribution and consumption in Berkeley through a tax. Specifically, the purpose of this ordinance is to tax the distribution of sugary drinks and the products used to make them. B. This Ordinance is not intended for the purpose of regulation. C. This Ordinance does not authorize the conduct of any business or activity in the city, but merely provides for the taxation of distribution of specified products as it occurs. D. This Ordinance imposes a general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages such as high-calorie, low-nutrition products, like soda, energy drinks, and heavily presweetened tea, as well as the added caloric sweeteners used to produce these sugar-sweetened beverages, such as the premade syrup used to make fountain drinks. Certain drinks containing sugar are exempted, including infant formula, milk products, and natural fruit and vegetable juice. E. This Ordinance provides for a small business exemption for Retailers who transport sugar-sweetened beverage products into the City themselves and then sell those products directly to consumers. F. This general tax will provide revenue to be available for the general governmental needs of the people of Berkeley. G. This Ordinance provides for a Sugar Sweetened Beverage Product Panel of Experts, composed of experts in the areas of public health, child nutrition, nutrition education, and food access programs. The Panel will make recommendations on how and to what extent the City should fund programs to further reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Berkeley and address the consequences of such consumption.   This is why...