In two months, Berkeley voters will decide whether ours will be the first U.S. city to enact a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (or tie with San Francisco which has a similar measure on the ballot). When I heard about the soda tax, “Measure D,” I immediately cast aside most of my to-do list (cleaning the […]
Soda tax
Posted inCity, Nosh
Judge changes Berkeley ‘soda tax’ ballot language
A judge ruled this week on what to change, and what to retain, in the ballot materials for the “soda tax” set to come before Berkeley voters in November.
Posted inCity, Nosh
Lawsuit filed over Berkeley ‘soda tax’ ballot
No city has yet been successful in passing a sugar-sweetened beverages tax. Will Berkeley be first? Photo: Mike Mozart Two men have filed a lawsuit against the city of Berkeley and the Berkeley City Council asking for changes to adopted ballot language related to the so-called “soda tax” set to come before voters in November. […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley councilman faces PR man in ‘soda tax’ debate
Councilman Laurie Capitelli speaks to attendees at a debate on the city’s proposed soda tax at the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso Councilman Laurie Capitelli speaks to attendees at a debate on the city’s proposed soda tax at the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso Though they were arguing about […]
Posted inCity
Rent Board commissioner Alejandro Soto-Vigil challenges 22-year incumbent Linda Maio in Berkeley’s District 1
Alejandro Soto-Vigil hopes to beat incumbent Linda Maio for the Berkeley City Council’s District 1 seat. Photo courtesy of Soto-Vigil Alejandro Soto-Vigil hopes to beat incumbent Linda Maio for the Berkeley City Council’s District 1 seat. Photo courtesy of Soto-Vigil Alejandro Soto-Vigil, city Rent Board commissioner and aide to Councilman Kriss Worthington, has filed to […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley puts sugar tax on November ballot; could be first city in country to take on Big Soda
Dr. Vicki Alexander, co-chair, Berkeley Healthy Child Foundation, at a rally about the sugar tax before the City Council meeting. Photo: Emilie Raguso The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to include a proposal that would tax distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages on the November ballot. The measure, which proposes a 1-cent-per-ounce charge at the […]
Posted inCity, Nature
Plans firm up for Berkeley soda tax, city parks measures
Berkeley voters will consider a soda tax in November. Supporters shown here came out before council earlier this year. Photo: Lance Knobel Berkeley officials voted Tuesday night on ballot language related to a November 2014 soda tax proposal, but exactly what sort of fundraising request might come before voters to help the city’s parks remains to […]
Posted inNature
Community survey shows difficulties for ballot measures
Proponents of a soda tax were out in force in neon green at Berkeley City Council in March. Photo: Lance Knobel A second round survey of likely voters in Berkeley reveals the difficulty some likely ballot measures will face for passage in November. The City Council commissioned the survey to test the waters for potential […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Let’s join forces to back Healthy Berkeley program
A broad coalition of diverse community representatives came together before the Berkeley City Council recently to call for Council support for two very important “Healthy Berkeley” initiatives. One involves a city parks bond proposal, and the other a proposed tax on sugary drinks. Both could provide long-term funding for healthy city improvements, including parks, playgrounds, […]
Posted inSchools
Berkeley School Board set to vote on slashed budget for cooking and gardening program
Supporters of the BUSD cooking and gardening program speak out at the March 12 BUSD Board meeting. Photo: Mary Flaherty UPDATE, March 27: As expected, the Berkeley Unified School Board last night voted to commit $485,000 for the coming year to its gardening program, under the terms outlined it the proposal that called for gardening classes for […]
Posted inCity
Sugar tax hits the sweet spot for Berkeley residents
Proponents of a soda tax were out in force when Berkeley City Council first considered the measure last month. Photo: Lance Knobel Berkeleyans seem eager to enact a new tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, but less likely to support other potential ballot measures being considered by the City Council. A community survey of just over 500 […]
Posted inCity, Nosh
Will Berkeley be first in nation to impose soda tax?
No city has yet been successful in passing a sugar-sweetened beverages tax. Will Berkeley be first?
