4/29/14 Update on the Sweetened Beverage Tax

from Donnie Anderson, Vice Chairman ICBV

Update on the Sweetened Beverage Tax

Beverage group says proposed Illinois soda tax ‘effectively dead’ in Springfield this session

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — A legislative effort to tax soft drinks in order to promote healthy living may be falling flat in Springfield.

The (Belleville) News-Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/1isj996 ) the effort introduced by two Chicago area lawmakers remains in committee. But they haven’t been called for any hearings.

Timothy Bramlet is executive director of the Illinois Beverage Association. He says he believes means the measures are “effectively dead.”

The legislation adds a penny-per-ounce surcharge on sugary drinks that are sold in sealed containers. That means a 12-ounce can of soda would cost another 12 more cents while a twelve-pack would increase by $1.44.

Money generated from the levy — as much as $600 million by some estimates — would be used to pay for Medicaid programs and a variety of health services and educational efforts.

** Note that our work is not done yet; today Jesse Rogers represented ICBV in a meeting with others in Springfield to determine our next steps.

From Tim Barmlet: We are still picking up some intelligence that a soda pop tax remains on the table for this spring, probably in conjunction with a capital plan or other spending measure looking for a source of dollars.

As such, we do not want to take anything for granted, and would like to schedule a quick  meeting to divvy up some names for a roll call to develop a list of legislators who would oppose the tax in the event they are approached by leadership or others asking if they could support one.