Important Issues

This week, MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Phil Mendelson and Chair Pro Temp Kenyan McDuffie urging a hearing on B23-495, Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act of 2019.

The legislation would impose a 1.5% tax per ounce on the distribution of "sugary beverages". The bill defines sugary beverages in a specific way, but the intent of the legislation is to tax non-diet soda and sugar-added fruit drinks. The money from the tax would fund health activities and education campaigns in the District. 

MSDC's letter does not take a position on the bill itself. The letter does, however, urge the Council to hold a hearing in order to hear testimony on the health issues around sugary beverages. B23-495 is currently assigned to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.

MSDC's position is that there are a number of issues that deserve a public hearing around the public health implications of taxing beverages, including:

• The definition of sugary beverages
• Whether milk-based beverages being excluded is a loophole that will not improve health
• The socio-economic impact of the tax
• The lack of information on the relationship of healthy beverages and healthy eating.

The letter is below and can be accessed here - Healthy beverages letter.