Initiative 1634

Initiative Measure No. 1634 concerns taxation of certain items intended for human consumption.

This measure would prohibit new or increased local taxes, fees, or assessments on raw or processed foods or beverages (with exceptions), or ingredients thereof, unless effective by January 15, 2018, or generally applicable.

Should this measure be enacted into law?
yes
no

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Connelly-Coke-and-Pepsi-put-5-1-million-into-13147294.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletterspi&utm_term=spi

As of 10-18-18 the PDC reports that “Yes to Affordable Groceries” has raised over $20 million. By painful contrast, the Healthy Kids Coalition has raised a whopping $16k.

Other jurisdictions have taxed or banned outright the sale of high fructose sugary drinks and can actually track improvements in public health as a result. The industry obviously is not thrilled with having their somewhat toxic products banned or taxed and is throwing millions into some very imaginative advertising campaigns. I just Googled I-1634 and the first hits are: Washington Initiative 1634, Prohibit Local Taxes on Groceries, and Yes! To Affordable Groceries,  and November 6, 2018 general election TNT endorsement against Initiative 1634.

Ballotopedia (www.ballotopedia.org/Washington) reported in September that the Yes campaign had received over $8 mil in donations from such companies as Coca Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper/Snapple, Red Bull, and the Washington Grocery Association. The opposition, the Healthy Kids Coalition, reported $250.00. As ever and always, the big guys, in this case the soft drink industry, can buy or bully to get what they want, which is no responsibility for the damage they are doing the public health.

Here’s the breakdown as of 10-18-18:

Coca-Cola Co        $9,653,767.73
Pepsico                   $7,278,737.28
Keurig Dr Pepper   $2,109,261.30
Red Bull                 $237,212.31

I am disgusted, and even though I expect this will pass based on that huge advertising budget,

I will be voting a resounding NO.