Seattle City Council approves measure ensuring soda tax revenue brings nutrition to low-income communities News
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Seattle City Council approves measure ensuring soda tax revenue brings nutrition to low-income communities

The City of Seattle on Monday approved legislation that codifies financial policies and requires the revenue from the city’s Sweetened Beverage Tax to go to healthy food initiatives for low-income communities. Mayor Jenny Durkan had threatened to veto the legislation, planning to use some revenue to fund existing programs, but City Council voted 7-1, a veto-proof majority.

The 1.75 cents-per-ounce tax raised $22 million in 2018, much higher than expected, and some of the extra money was allocated to other services, with City Council’s consent. Durkan wanted to do the same in 2019. The bill keeps this from happening.

In a statement, bill sponsor Mike O’Brien said the legislation “codifies financial policies so that the Sweetened Beverage Tax revenue stays true to its original intent and goals, by requiring revenue from the tax to be spent in communities long affected by food insecurity, education divestments and poor nutrition.”