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 It was repealed.