Ohio Soda Tax

Ohio Soda Tax

 In 1992 Ohio’s Republican Governor, George V. Voinovich, worked a $62 million soda tax through the state legislature as part of a budget-balancing effort. One cent was taxed for every twelve-ounces of soda, with distributors paying the upfront price, and passing on a projected $42 a year to the average Ohioan.

In 1994 the soda industry managed to get a repeal initiative on the ballot, thus turning the tax into a hotly contested election year issue. It was repealed.

Cry Wolf Quotes

This is a huge, huge loophole. If they could raise one (food tax), they could raise another one.

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Diana Winterhalter, a spokeswoman for the bottlers' coalition, called the Stop Taxes on Food Committee. Cleveland Plain-Dealer, 1994.
10/15/1994 | Full Details | Law(s): Ohio Soda Tax

Why should we be singled out more than any other product? It's totally unfair. This industry more than pays its share of taxes and understands its obligation to do that, but these special taxes are another matter.

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Jim Finkelstein, spokesman for the National Soft Drink Association. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution.
11/05/1994 | Full Details | Law(s): Ohio Soda Tax

Obviously for us as an industry, it causes undue harm.

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Lee Cox, general manager of Pepsi's Twinsburg bottling plant. Cleveland Plain-Dealer
10/15/1994 | Full Details | Law(s): Ohio Soda Tax