"Facing a substantial maintenance backlog and continued revenue challenges, San Jose could ask voters if they would support a measure on next year's ballot as a potential financial lifeline for its park system - with a sugary-drink tax or another attempt at a parcel tax among the options. The city's deferred maintenance backlog has swelled to more than half a billion dollars, and a survey conducted in the fall found that 75% of participants agreed that San Jose needed more funding to sustain its parks."
"One option is for San Jose is to enact a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Santa Cruz became the most recent Bay Area city to enact such a tax after voters greenlit their own measure in November 2024. It includes sodas, energy and sports drinks and sweetened coffees and teas, while carving out exemptions such as for milk, baby formula, alcohol and naturally sweetened beverages."
"Public Information Manager Amanda Rodriguez said that a two-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in San Jose could bring in approximately $27 million per year and garner more support because of the health benefits and the fact that excise taxes represent a choice to use a particular good, unlike the case with property taxes, which voters might feel forced upon them."
"'People can choose whether or not they pay this tax by drinking or not drinking sugary beverages,' Rodriguez said. 'The County of Santa Clara's Public Health Department reached out to our department earlier this year with data that shows a (sugar-sweetened beverage) tax in San Jose could reduce childhood obesity and chronic diseases associated with sugary drinks, in addition to the health care savings the county could see.'"
San Jose faces a deferred parks maintenance backlog exceeding half a billion dollars and continues to have revenue challenges. A fall survey found 75% of participants agreed San Jose needed more funding to sustain its parks. Options for a ballot measure include a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages or another parcel tax. Santa Cruz enacted a sugary-drink tax in November 2024 with exemptions for milk, baby formula, alcohol and naturally sweetened beverages. A two-cent-per-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage tax in San Jose could generate approximately $27 million per year and may attract support due to health benefits and voluntary consumer choice. A prior parcel tax proposal averaging $69 per homeowner was shelved after polling showed uncertainty about passing.
Read at The Mercury News
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