Seattle soda tax raises nearly $1M more than predicted

SEATTLE (AP) – Seattle’s sweetened beverage tax raised about $1 million more than predicted in its first three months.

KOMO-TV reports the tax raised $4,446,000 in the first three months. The city’s budget office estimated the tax would raise $14.8 million in its first year.

Lawmakers say the tax is more about preventing obesity and diabetes than collecting money.

A spokesperson from Seattle King County Department of Health says it’s too early to know if the tax is having its intended effect to cut down on people drinking sweetened beverages.

The law dictates how the money will be spent in the first year with 26 percent going to healthy food options for low income people and 24 percent to family child care programs. Other percentages go toward the first year of college tuition for Seattle high school graduates and other areas.

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Information from: KOMO-TV, http://www.komotv.com/