Council vs. Mayor Durkan on sugary beverage tax money
Millions of dollars from Seattle's Sweetened Beverage Tax must go to the healthy food access programs touted when the city imposed a steep tax on sugary drinks, the Seattle City Council said in legislation passed Monday on a a 7-1 vote.
.The bill sets up a showdown with Mayor Jenny Durkan, who used part of the $22.3 million collected to sweeten the city's general fund budget to support child care vouchers, food banks and nursing assistance for low-income women.
"This is making a clear policy statement that this money should be off limits except for the intended purpose," Councilmember Mike O'Brien, sponsor of the measure, said during debate.
The council previously went along with Durkan's use of the money.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/council-vs-mayor-durkan-on-sugary-beverage-tax-money/ar-AAEIWXb