Amended soda tax plan in the works

    A Philadelphia City Councilman is proposing a twist on the mayor’s soda tax plan.
    With little enthusiasm for enacting a two-cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks, an alternative may be in the works.

    A Philadelphia City Councilman is proposing a twist on the mayor’s soda tax plan.
    With little enthusiasm for enacting a two-cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks,  an alternative may be in the works.

    Councilman Darrell Clarke’s plan would keep the two-cent per ounce tax intact, but would then provide tax breaks to small businesses who do two things.
    one – keep the tax on sugary drinks instead of spreading tax across other products.
    two – for corner stores, not known for having fresh produce, buy a refrigerator and sell vegetables and fruits.

    Clarke: I actually thought a potential wrinkle that if in fact the sugar tax was imposed a business could apply the tax to the sugary product instead of applying it across the board which most people think they would get a tax credit to actually creating a disincentive for people to take sugary products.

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    Councilman Clarke says he hasn’t decided how big of a tax credit should be offered.

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