Seattle reaps bundles on sweetened beverage tax

7-9-2018

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle’s sweetened beverage tax raised about $1 million more than predicted in its first three months.

KOMO reports the tax raised almost $4.5 million in the first three months. The city’s budget office estimated the tax would raise $14.8 million in its first year.

Lawmakers say the tax is more about preventing obesity and diabetes than collecting money.

A spokesperson from Seattle King County Department of Health says it’s too early to know if the tax is getting people to cut down on sweetened beverages.