SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California Sen. Dean Florez introduced a bill Feb. 18 that would tax sodas and sugary drinks 1 cent for every teaspoon of added sugar and other caloric sweeteners in commercial beverages. The tax would be paid by companies that bottle soda and make finished beverages or syrup for fountain drinks and be used for programs aimed at fighting childhood obesity.
As reported by Reuters, initial projections from the California Center for Public Health Advocacy estimated the excise tax on beverage distributors could raise $1.5 billion a year.
