THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH PASSED SENATE BILL 622 YESTERDAY WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A TAX ON SWEETENED BEVERAGES IN ORDER TO FUND CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION PROGRAMS. S.B. 622 AUTHORED BY SENATOR BILL MONNING NOW MOVES ON TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS. THE BILL WOULD ADD AN EXCISE TAX OF ONE PENNY PER FLUID OUNCE ON SPECIFIED BEVERAGES THAT HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF CALORIC SWEETENERS. FUNDS RAISED WOULD GO TO THE NEWLY CREATED CHILDREN’S HEALTH PROMOTION FUND THAT AIMS TO FUND PARK AND RECREATION PROGRAMS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS.
