Berkeley's Soda Tax Hike Is the City's Most Expensive Measure Campaign, With No Organized Opposition

The campaign for Measure AA, which would double Berkeley's soda tax, has raised more than any other measure campaign in the city this year, Berkeleyside reported, even though no organized opposition has emerged.

The money

• $319,086 raised as of Oct. 17, the end of the latest reporting period.
• $300,318 of that came from the American Heart Association, with $18,768 from other donors.
• More than $50,000 ahead of the next most expensive campaign, the proposed arts parcel tax, and raised in four months, Berkeleyside reported.

The Heart Association said in a statement that it worried about possible soda industry opposition, noting the industry spent more than $2.4 million trying to block Berkeley's tax in 2014.

What Measure AA does

It would raise the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages from 1 cent to 2 cents per fluid ounce, or from about 12 cents to about 24 cents on a can of Coke, ABC7 reported. The tax is levied on distributors, who can pass it on in prices. Supporters say 42% of the money goes to Berkeley Unified for programs including school gardens. Two years ago, 80% of Berkeley voters made the existing tax permanent.

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