Pressed to pick between a food tax we fear or power we value
OLYMPIA — A measure on the fall ballot pushes voters to choose between their embrace of local control and their distaste for taxes, specifically on food.
By passing Initiative 1634, voters would prevent cities and counties from levying any new tax, fee or other form of assessment on food and drink products typically sold in supermarkets.
That’s a line Everett restaurateur Kate Dearman said needs to be drawn.
“The people of Washington are taxed too much. Small businesses are taxed too much,” said Dearman, who’s owned and operated Kate’s Greek & American diner for nearly 15 years. “One more tax would make our products more expensive. And once there is one tax, there will be another after that. Where does it stop?”
Opponents are concerned that the measure would strip elected community leaders around the state of a potential means of raising money to pay for vital public services.
“This deceptive proposal would impose a one-size-fits-all state law that takes power away from voters and hands it to the state, silencing our voice in local decision-making,” said Vic Colman, who leads the Washington Healthy Kids Coalition opposing the measure, in an online video voter guide. He also is executive director of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition.
Initiative 1634 is the handiwork of the American Beverage Association, and the nation’s leading soda pop producers are pouring millions of dollars into the campaign to pass it.
As written, it preempts local governments from imposing “any tax, fee, or other assessment on groceries.” Among items specifically called out in the measure are meat, poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, grains, bread, milk, cheese and other dairy products, nonalcoholic beverages, condiments, spices, cereals, seasonings and eggs.
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