Does Repeal of Chicago Soda Tax Foretell Philly’s Future?

After only a few months on the books, Cook County’s tax on sugary beverages has been repealed. This has led to speculation that Philadelphia’s soda tax could be next. The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to cancel the controversial tax. Rumors had been swirling that the Board was hammering out an agreement to rescind the tax, and it turns out that was true.

Chicago’s soda tax just got repealed, leading some to speculate that Philadelphia’s own controversial tax could be next.

Dave McCorkle, of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (which stands against the Philadelphia soda tax), was very vocal about the end of Chicago’s tax and what it meant for the City of Brotherly Love. “Philadelphia’s elected leaders should learn the lesson of Cook County,” he boasted, going on to claim that the constituents of Cook County had “forced” municipal leaders to take back the tax. The reality, however, looks a bit more interesting. Reports show that individual commissioners were on the receiving end of generous donations from Coca-Cola and Pepsi through a political action campaign (PAC). The beverage giants obviously have an interest in bringing an end to any taxes on sugary beverages.

This fact was underscored in a statement by Philadelphians for a Fair Future, which endorses the tax. “[Tuesday’s] events also underscore the fact that the beverage industry, with its virtually unlimited financial resources, will stop at nothing to halt or overturn beverage taxes that threaten its profits and its ability to market sugar-sweetened drinks to the communities it claims to care about,” read the press release.

Philadelphia’s soda tax of 1.5 cents per ounce affects not just soft drinks (diet and regular), but all juices, flavored waters, sweet teas, and other similar drinks. While other similar taxes around the country take the stance that soda is unhealthy and citizens should be discouraged from drinking it, Philadelphia wanted to tax soda to put the money towards a good cause: namely, universal pre-kindergarten education, community centers, and schools.