Last week, the beverage industry sued the City of Oakland, alleging that ballot measure language stating “the tax is not paid by your local grocer” was incorrect. However, on  Friday, an Alameda Superior Court Judge ruled in favor of the Yes on HH campaign and rejected Big Soda’s claims. The measure language will be printed in voter ballot guides as written.  

The ballot argument states “The tax is not paid by your local grocer” and clarifies that the soda tax  is a one penny per ounce tax on distributors of sugary drinks and not on grocers or groceries. This language is  intended to clarify that despite Big Soda’s opposition campaign, this is NOT a grocery tax.

Big Soda has already spent $9.5 million dollars on mailers, television, and digital ads trying to mislead and confuse voters. Thankfully, the judge saw through these blatant lies and the industry’s intimidation tactics, and ruled that our ballot argument text was not false or misleading,

Measure HH Champion, Vice Mayor Annie Campbell Washington summed it up well in a quote published in the East Bay Express, “A court just declared what I've been saying — that soda's entire $10 million campaign is a lie."

Read the full article and other coverage at the links below: 

 http://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2016/09/02/big-soda-loses-in-court-to-oakland

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Judge-Oakland-s-proposed-sugary-drink-tax-is-9200973.php

A new study released by the University of California Berkeley (UCB) is showing that the nation’s first sugary drink tax, passed by the city in 2014, is working. Consumers in Berkeley’s low-income neighborhoods are drinking 21% less soda and other sugary drinks since the tax was implemented in March 2015. These results are promising, and suggest Oakland residents could see a similar impact if Measure HH is passed.

This research shows Berkeley’s tax has both discouraged sugary drinks and encouraged consumers to switch to healthier drinks: during the study period, consumption of tap and bottled water among residents increased by 63%. Only 2% of Berkeley residents reported traveling across city lines to buy tax-free soda.

“We are looking for tools that support people in making healthy choices, and the soda tax appears to be an effective tool,” stated study author Kristine Madsen, an associate professor of public health at UCB. The authors also suggest that the campaign to pass Measure D may have also played a part in encouraging residents to switch to healthier drinks: “It’s possible that successful campaigning around the tax raised awareness of the health impacts of sugary drinks.”

These results are even more favorable than the results seen in Mexico, where a 17% decline in soda consumption was reported among low-income households after the first year of its one-peso-per-liter soda tax that went into effect in 2013.

Not surprisingly, Big Soda is using the usual tactics of trying to discredit this rigorous peer-reviewed study. Don’t be surprised to see more ads coming to fight this tax. Big Soda has reserved roughly $9.5 million in television ad time before Election Day and already has spent $1 million on commercials in the Bay Area.

Read more about the study results at: http://news.berkeley.edu/2016/08/23/sodadrinking/

As of August 10th, campaign finance records indicate that Big Soda has spent between $600-750k to oppose Oakland's soda tax with deceptive ads.

At a press conference on Thursday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. in front of the City Hall steps, Councilwomen Campbell Washington, Brooks, and Kaplan will announce their intent to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission and the Oakland Ethics Commission regarding the untruthful advertisements being broadcast on TV and send to Oakland voters in the mail.

Last Tuesday, we held a very successful fundraiser to kick off the Oakland vs. Big Soda campaign. Our first fundraising event raised both dollars and awareness about the health crisis in Oakland, caused by consumption of sugary drinks. Over 60 campaign supporters and volunteers spent an engaging evening at Brown Sugar Kitchen, hosted by Tanya Holland, chef and local food justice advocate. Speakers included Vice Mayor Annie Campbell-Washington, pediatrician Dr. Bert Lubin, City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, and health advocate Vicki Alexander. Nancy Skinner was one of the elected officials that came out to show support.

The Oakland Sugar Sweetened Beverage Distributor Tax is officially on the ballot! The City Council voted unanimously May 3rd to put the measure before Oakland voters.  A big "Thank You" to the over 30 community members who signed up to speak and who gave passionate testimony in support of the excise tax, many telling heartbreaking personal stories about how diabetes has touched their families.  

Now its time to organize and spread the word about the link of sugary drinks to diabetes, tooth decay, and other diseases and how the beverage industry targets its marketing to children and youth and low income communities of color.  The revenue from this tax can be used to combat the impact of sugary drink marketing.  Funds could support health education and community and school-based programs across Oakland. It's time for profitable corporations to pay for the health impacts of their products in our community. 

Oakland City Council Rules Committee unanimously voted to bring the measure to put SSB Distributors Tax on the November ballot to the full City Council May 3^rd.  Over 35 speakers signed up to testify and displayed an amazing show of support.   

In an emotional ending, Councilmember Larry Reid shared the recent loss of his 22-year-old nephew to complications from undiagnosed diabetes, as well as his and his family’s history with diabetes.  He stated he used to drink soda like water, before he knew the detrimental effects.

A kick-off press conference was held on the steps of city hall prior to the committee meeting, with much positive press coverage.  Thanks go out to Dr. Ariane Terlet, Dr. Tom Sugarman, Rev. Damita Davis Howard, and Dr. Tony Iton, and especially to the leadership of Vice Mayor Annie Campbell Washington and Councilmembers Desley Brooks and Rebecca Kaplan.  

The sugary drink distributors tax has been strongly supported by Oakland Councilmembers and is anticipated to pass, despite beverage industry opposition.   While the industry is worried about their profits, a broad coalition of health and faith leaders and community members are worried about the health and future of our next generation. 

We need your voice!! Come out and support this measure at the City Council meeting on May 3^rd.  

Join us to voice your support for a Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax on April 7^th at the Rules & Legislation Committee of the Oakland City Council.

Our broad coalition of elected officials, and faith, health and community leaders are bringing legislation forward to add a Sugar Sweetened Beverage Distributor Tax to the November ballot in Oakland. This legislation will be discussed at the April 7th Rules & Leg Committee, which starts at 10:45am.  Sign up to speak here (We are item #15): http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CityCouncil/s/SpeakCouncilMeeting/index.htm

If you can't be there in person, please call or write to your City Council representative to show your support for placing the Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax on the November ballot. A list of the council members is here: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/CityCouncil/index.htm

Email addresses:

District 1 — Dan Kalb —

District 2 — Abel Guillen —

District 3 — Lynette McElhaney —

District 4 — Annie Washington —

District 5 — Noel Gallo -

District 6 — Desley Brooks -

District 7 — Larry Reid -

At-large — Rebecca Kaplan —