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No on I-1634

Initiative 1634 has my “no” vote. I was saddened by the Guest Opinion (“Protect farmers, groceries with I-1634,” Barbara Richardson and Sonja Halverson) on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, as it was misleading and predictable.

Misleading in that it prohibits local government from taxing food, but I’m not aware that our local government has ever suggested a tax on food. Rather, the Washington Hospitality Association is worried about a tax on sugary sodas, not groceries. The top two supporter of this bill are Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. As of June 29, 2018, they have spent well over 2 million dollars in trying to get your “yes” vote for this bill.

It is predictable in that the guest opinion states that, “This is a slippery slope and once it starts, there’s no turning back.” I have heard that scare tactic before. A tax on sugary drinks might help to control our obesity and diabetics epidemic, but I think it is the cola industry that is scared, 2 million dollars and counting scared.

Shirley Carlton

Spokane

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