City Controller Butkovitz opposes soda tax

A proposal to tax soda in Philadelphia might lose some of its fizz. The idea would be to tax sodas in order to help shrink a projected budget gap for the next year.
Chicago has a similar tax. It’s a three percent tax on sodas and juice drinks that contain less than half real fruit juice.

A proposal to tax soda in Philadelphia might lose some of its fizz.

The idea would be to tax sodas in order to help shrink a projected budget gap for the next year.

Chicago has a similar tax. It’s a three percent tax on sodas and juice drinks that contain less than half real fruit juice.

Alan Butkovitz is Philadelphia City Controller. He says in the Windy City, the tax doesn’t bring in nearly the amount of money Philadelphia needs and would also require getting the legislature’s approval.

Butkovitz: Philadelphia just went on this wild ride last year of having to ask the state to change the sales tax and it pushed us on the verge of bankruptcy of not being able to have the money to pay our bills.  Under state law Philadelphia would have to ask permission for a soda tax.  It’s a bad idea after going through the experience so recently to go on that roller coaster ride again.

Philadelphia City officials aren’t ready to comment about the issue.  Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to propose his budget to City Council on March 4.