A bill that would have levied a tax of 1 percent per fluid ounce
on sugary drinks failed to pass the Assembly Committee on Revenue
and Taxation. AB 669, by Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Carmel), would
have taxed sodas, energy drinks, sweet teas and sports drinks
distributed in California.
A bill that would have levied a tax of 1 percent per fluid ounce on sugary drinks failed to pass the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation. AB 669, by Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Carmel), would have taxed sodas, energy drinks, sweet teas and sports drinks distributed in California. The revenues generated would be directed to the newly created Children’s Health Promotion Fund and allocated to statewide childhood obesity prevention activities and programs.
“While I am disappointed that AB 669 did not pass out of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, I remain committed to continuing to pursue this issue and educating the public about the health dangers of sugary drinks – the biggest contributor to current obesity trends,” Monning said. “The long term health of California’s children is at risk and we must work together to avoid a future influx of chronically-ill adults into our already overstressed healthcare system.”
The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee moved the bill to their suspense file Monday after committee members said the issue of product consumption was one of parental and individual responsibility. In its opposition to AB 669, the California Nevada Soft Drinks Association said the bill falsely singles-out one product and that, taken in combination with the current CRV tax, AB 669 would have a chilling effect on the soft drink industry.
“California is trying to come to terms with a $41 billion obesity epidemic just as fiscally strapped state and municipal governments are being forced to cut many of the programs that address this crisis. For local communities and the state, AB 669 could be a lifeboat – a smart solution that safeguards vitally needed children’s obesity prevention programs and moves the money back into communities where it is most needed,” said Dr. Harold Goldstein of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.
Assemblymember Monning was first elected to represent the 27th Assembly District in 2008. The 27th Assembly District includes the counties of Monterey, Santa Clara – including parts of Morgan hill – and Santa Cruz. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Monning was a professor at the Monterey College of Law and a Professor of International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Monning was recently appointed as Chair of the Assembly Health Committee.
