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Lawmakers Debate Soft Drink Tax

OMAHA (KPTM)- Under Nebraska Law, soda is considered a food, so there are no sale taxes on it.

A bill is being debated in the state legislature would go away with exemptions for soft drinks.

Coke or Pepsi, soda or pop, it doesn't matter which drink you like or what you call it, what matters is some Nebraska state senators want to tax it.

Nebraska state senators want to exclude soft drinks from the food ingredients exempt sales tax. Soft drinks were defined as not having milk or fifty percent of vegetable or fruit juice.

State Senator Bill Avery introduced the bill to committee Friday. He said the money generated from the sales tax would go towards programs to promote healthy kids and fight childhood obesity.

During the hearing, Dr. John Skretta, the superintendent with Norris School District, said that over consumption is the root of the problem. Skretta said that he wanted more educations programs to help young people lead healthy life styles.

Opponents said that the beverage industry has cut calories and given smaller portion sizes and obesity is still a problem.

The bill is in committee. Some concerns raised were that the bill didn't clearly differentiate between soda in a pop machine and soda in a six pack. Fountain pop is already taxed under Nebraska law.

Supporters said they aren't sure if the bill will make it out of committee. If it doesn't, they plan to try it again next year.