Skip to main content

User menu

  • Home
  • Post a Job
  • Register

Site Network

  • County News
  • School News
Home
  • News
    • Campaigns and Elections
    • Pension Reform
    • Comings and Goings
  • Local Policy Issues
    • Housing and Land Use
    • Infrastructure
    • Green
    • Health Care
    • Public Safety
    • Transportation
    • Transparency
    • Cybersecurity
    • admin
  • Jobs Board
  • Contact

Now Hiring?

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Kings Games and Black Panther Tix: Soda Inc. Spends Big to Influence Lawmakers

Kings Games and Black Panther Tix: Soda Inc. Spends Big to Influence Lawmakers

By Brittany M. on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
10832

When it comes to discouraging lawmakers from raising taxes on sugary drinks, Big Soda sure know how to sweeten the pot. A California Healthline investigation has found that state and local officials received millions in everything from campaign contributions to basketball games and Black Panther movie tickets from lobbyists seeking to stop tax hikes on sugar-laden drinks.

The soft drink industry spent $11.8 million on these efforts between 2017 and 2018. It appears to have worked. As City News reported previously, state lawmakers passed a bill last year that bans local soda taxes until 2031. In exchange, the beverage industry dropped a ballot proposal that would have made it harder for local governments to levy new taxes.

But there is already pushback. Some politicians are reviving calls for a statewide soda tax and regulations on where sodas can be sold. Meanwhile, legislation requiring warning labels on high calorie beverages is moving swiftly through Sacramento. 

As lawmakers seek to rein Big Soda in, they’ll be fighting an army of influencers with friends in high places and a cache of unlimited resources.

Drink up.

Tags
Featured
news
lobbyist
big soda
beverage industry
beverages
legislation
tax
Section
Transparency
Brittany M.
Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
10832
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
Sign Up for Our Awesome Newsletter

 

City Jobs

  • Chief Labor Relations Officer
    City of Long Beach
  • Principal Engineer
    Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)
  • City Manager
    City of Compton
  • SUPERVISING HUMAN RESOURCES ANALYST / WORKFORCE PLANNING
    City of Stockton
  • Management Analyst (Public Works Department)
    City of Santa Paula
  • Finance Director
    Tuolumne Utilities District
  • Management Analyst (Community Development Department)
    City of Santa Paula
  • Utilities Director
    City of Gilroy
  • Building Official
    City of El Cerrito, CA
  • Police Chief
    City of Cotati, CA

Campaigns & Elections

Santa Ana Considers Allowing Noncitizens to Vote
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Undocumented immigrants could be able to vote in Santa Ana municipal elections under a policy being…
Rancho Cordova to Adopt New Map for District Elections
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Rancho Cordova City Council will take a major step next week toward finalizing a district-based…
Oakland Sees Another Election Mix-Up Involving Candidates for School Board
Thursday, August 24, 2023
A city error that almost disqualified the only two candidates from Oakland Unified’s District 5…
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln Running for Congress
Thursday, July 20, 2023
In 2020, Stockton experienced a huge political upset when the Republican pastor of a local church,…
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer Launches Bid to Unseat Terra Lawson-Remer
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has announced his candidacy for the county’s Third District…

Comings & Goings

Merced Hires New City Manager
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Merced has selected a City Hall insider to serve as its next city manager. Scott McBride will take…
Santa Monica City Clerk to Retire
Monday, September 25, 2023
Santa Monica City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren will retire at the end of the year, concluding 29…
Santa Barbara County Sees More City Manager Retirements
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
At least two administrators from the Santa Barbara County area will vacate their positions this…
Laguna Beach Hires Interim City Manager
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Retired Irvine city manager Sean Joyce will take over as the interim city manager of Laguna Beach…
Manteca Hires New Director of Finance
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The City of Manteca has hired a new finance director. Shay Narayan, who currently serves as budget…
Clear keys input element