Should Berkeley Put a Soda Tax on the Ballot?

Less than a month after voters in Richmond defeated a measure that would have placed an extra tax on sweetened drinks such as sodas, City Councilwoman Linda Maio is asking her colleagues to consider putting a similar measure before Berkeley voters. 

Here's an excerpt of the agenda item scheduled for Tuesday's council meeting: 

We have a long history of supporting healthful foods for those of all ages, but we have made particular investments in our youth. We have made healthful lunches available and support our gardening programs in our schools. With cutbacks at the state level likely, even if Prop 30 passes, we will need to continue to support our educational and hands-on experiences for our children, in particular. The discussion that is proposed could result in mapping out a direction on raising revenue for these purposes.

Should Berkeley tax soft drinks?