Mayor Kenney Plans To Revive Idea Of Soda Tax
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Jim Kenney is planning to revive the idea of a soda tax, according to city officials who've been briefed on the budget he'll propose Thursday.
It's a turnaround for the mayor.
Then-councilman Kenney opposed the tax when his predecessor introduced the idea, but now, Mayor Kenney says this is different.
"Before it was about obesity and filling a hole with the school district."
Now, he says, the money would be used to fund his top priorities, universal pre-K, community schools, parks, rec center and library improvements.
"I want to do what's right for our neighborhoods and for our kids."
Council members were on board with his priorities, but non-committal about a soda tax as a funding mechanism.
Councilman Allan Domb says more could be raised by going after tax delinquents.
"Which total 7-800-Million dollars and getting those moneys collected before we go out with any new taxes."
Majority leader Bobby Henon, though, says the soda tax is worth considering. "At this point, I think everything is on the table."
