Soda Tax Varies With Terminals at PHL

It’s been at least a couple of months since we’ve heard of any drama over the soda tax, so clearly the time is nigh for a little fizzy brouhaha. The controversial tax on sweetened beverages, passed into Philadelphia law by Mayor Jim Kenney, is back in the headlines. This time, it has to do with the size of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and the fact that, due to its vastness and geographic location, some of the airport’s terminals are located in the city of Philadelphia, and others are located in Tinicum Township, Delaware County… where there is no soda tax. In reality, this means that a cup of soda purchased on one side of the airport could cost more than one bought on the other end, a ludicrous fact that has not been lost on news outlets.

“Terminally silly,” read the headline on the Philadelphia Inquirer, which posted a story on the situation. The Inquirer posted a graphic that depicts a jagged line bisecting Terminals A-East and A-West, as well as “two runways, and aircraft gates at the end of Concourse B” that are situated in Tinicum Township. Terminals B-F are located in Philadelphia.

Shanin Specter, attorney for the plaintiffs seeking an injunction to put a halt on the city enforcing the soda tax, was quoted in the story: “What the city needs to do is paint a big red stripe down the terminal floors with arrows pointing ‘Philadelphia soft drink tax’ this side, and ‘No Philadelphia soft drink tax’ the other side. People are going to be shocked come Jan. 1 at the price disparity depending upon what terminal they are in, if this tax isn’t voided.”

The American Beverage Association is leading a lawsuit against the city claiming that the soda tax is unconstitutional. The tax, due to take effect on the first day of January 2017, charges 1.5 cents per ounce on any sweetened beverage, including soda, sports drinks, and sweet teas. The income from the tax will help expand city coffers, with money going into education and local community centers.

I guess if you are going to be flying out of PHL, pick up a drink on the western side of the airport before catching your flight out on the Philadelphia end!