Seattle sugary drinks tax generates $4M in first 3 months

SEATTLE (AP) – Seattle officials say the city’s sugary beverages tax generated more than $4 million in revenue in its first three months.

Finance and Administrative Services department spokeswoman Julie Moore said the office had received more than $4 million in first-quarter tax payments as of last Friday.

The Seattle Times reports the department expects the amount will increase because some checks were still in the mail and some businesses file their taxes annually.

Seattle began taxing sugary beverages, syrups and concentrates at the beginning of this year.

Supporters of the tax hoped the boosted prices would discourage people from buying sugary drinks, which have been linked to diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and tooth decay.

Officials previously estimated the tax would raise $14.8 million in 2018.

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Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com