Random Soda Tax Tweets, Gossip, and Other Tidbits

“As promised, Big Soda sues to block #Philadelphia soda tax
https://news.heart.org/big-soda-others-sue-to-block-philadelphia-soda-tax/… #rkidsrworthit #rebuildphl #phled” (Twitter, 9/14/16)

Who said it: Philadelphia American Heart Association

“Taking on Big Soda? Check out great new study out about benefits of #SodaTax in Berkeley https://bit.ly/2bfwUfR  #BigSoda” (Twitter, 9/9/16)

Who said it: Anna Lappe, food systems and sustainability advocate and Author, Diet for a Hot Planet

“This is the beginning of a process of changing the narrative of poverty in our city”

Who said it: Jim Kenney, mayor of Philadelphia (Press conference, 6/16/16)

“If we go five years ahead and look back, I think this is going to be a watershed moment”   

Who said it: Jim Krieger, executive director at Healthy Food America, an organization that helps cities around the country considering a soda tax  (NY Times, 6/16/16)

“This is a fabulous way to get revenue for revenue-starved cities”

Who said it: Marion Nestle, NYU Professor and Author of Soda Politics and Food Politics (The Washington Post, 6/14/16)

“I’m very supportive of the mayor’s proposal to tax soda to get universal pre-school for kids…I mean, we need universal pre-school. And if that’s a way to do it, that’s how we should do it.“

Who said it: Hillary Clinton (Speaking at a forum in Philadelphia, 4/20/16)

“Crooked Hillary Clinton has endorsed Philly’s soda tax…which violates her pledge to not support taxes on the poor and middle class.”

Who said it: Donald Trump (Facebook, 6/18/16)

“Obesity and poverty are both intractable national problems. No policy takes more direct aim at both than Philadelphia’s tax on sugary drinks. I was glad to support it, and I will continue working to ensure that cities and nations pursuing these anti-obesity strategies get the support they need to level the playing field with the soda industry.”

Who said it: Michael Bloomberg (www.mikebloomberg.com, 6/16/16)

“The tax passed today is a regressive tax that unfairly singles out beverages – including low- and no-calorie choices,” the association said in a statement. “But most importantly, it is against the law.”

Who said it: Lauren Kane, a spokeswoman for The American Beverage Association, a trade group, has vowed to fight the measure in the courts. (Statement, 6/16/16)