Groups to protest proposed Philadelphia soda tax

A coalition of beverage industry groups, unions and small business owners is planning to protest a proposal to tax soda in Philadelphia.

Mayor Michael Nutter is pushing a 2-cents-per-ounce tax on soda and other sugary beverages to help raise revenue for the cash-strapped city school system. A similar tax proposal was scrapped last year.

Nutter says the tax could help generate millions of dollars to save school programs from the budget ax.

But a coalition dubbed “Philly Jobs, Not Taxes” says the tax would also result in the loss of hundreds of jobs in the beverage industry. They plan to protest at City Hall around midday today.

After a lengthy hearing last week, City Council is scheduled to discuss the idea again later this week.