Initiative to prohibit new local grocery taxes leading

The initiative that would prohibit local governments from imposing new taxes on soda or grocery items was leading Tuesday night.

The measure, Initiative 1634, is a campaign funded almost entirely by the soda industry and as of Oct. 15 raised $20.21 million.

Follow this link to see complete election results.

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That money raised by the Yes to Affordable Groceries campaign, sponsored by the American Beverage Association, positioned it near the top of fundraising efforts in a statewide initiative campaign.

If approved, the measure would prevent cities and counties from imposing their own taxes on soda or food products. The measure doesn't prevent the state from doing so and Seattle's soda tax would remain in effect.

The campaign's top donors as of Oct. 15 included The Coca-Cola Co. with more than $9.6 million, PepsiCo, Inc. with nearly $7.3 million and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. with more than $3 million.
Opponents in that same time period raised $8,650 with $6,000 coming from Seattle's Foundation for Healthy Generations.

Supporters of the initiative include Jeff Philipps, a Spokane civic leader and president of Rosauers Supermarkets and April Clayton, a farmer and Chelan/Douglas County Farm Bureau vice president.
Opponents include Dr. Mary Ann Bauman of the American Heart Association and Spokane City Councilwoman Kate Burke.

Initiative to prohibit new local grocery taxes leading

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