From Philly to Chicago's Cook County, a string of soda taxes
Chicago's Cook County approved a beverage tax on Thursday, the fifth defeat in three days for an industry that recorded its first big loss – in Philadelphia earlier this year – after scores of victories around the country.
Lopsided Election Day tax approvals in Boulder, Colo., San Francisco, and two other Bay Area cities were by public referendums that proponents waged largely on the basis of public health. The taxes, like the first big beverage levy, passed two years ago in Berkeley, Calif., will apply to drinks with added sugar.
Cook County, like Philadelphia, will include beverages with artificial sweeteners. And the president of the county commissioners, like Mayor Kenney, emphasized revenue: The county faced a large budget gap and potential layoffs. Kenney wanted to expand pre-kindergarten and improve recreation centers.