CAVC President Larry Atnip announced the council is partnering with the American Beverage Association and Californians for Food and Beverage Choice in opposing Senate Bill 622, a proposal that would impose a penny-per-ounce tax on the distribution of beverages including soft drinks, juice drinks, sports drinks and enhanced waters. The discussion with lawmakers will continue May 15 at the Annual Lobby Day in Sacramento, Calif.
“We plan to discuss the facts with our lawmakers to ensure that they understand that increased prices would hit those who can afford it least – middle and lower-income California residents who spend a large percentage of their income on grocery items. On a broader level, the bill will impact hundreds of businesses providing vending and coffee services to thousands of Californians each day. Any additional tax will place an unfair burden on small business owners and could ultimately jeopardize hundreds, possibly thousands of California jobs and billions of dollars in wages and benefits supported by the state’s beverage industry,” Sandy Larson, NAMA’s senior legislative director and counsel said in a prepared statement.
“Senate Bill 622 is far-reaching, involving juice drinks, sports drinks, iced teas and even enhanced waters. If it passes, it would result in higher prices on hundreds of products sold at restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores and vending machines,” he continued.
CAVC members will meet with members of the California State Senate as well members of the California State Assembly.
To generate widespread support for the effort in Sacramento, CAVC has used the new association portal NAMAVoice and other tools to encourage members to send letters to lawmakers.
