Democratic Mayor Touts Soda Tax Success after Sales Plummet 50 Percent

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The Democratic mayor of Philadelphia is touting the success of the city’s beverage tax and lashing out at what he calls the “greed” of retailers as sales have plummeted by as much as 50 percent.

The Daily Caller reports city officials say the unpopular soda tax is already exceeding expectations,. But, retailers are reporting beverage sales down 30 to 50 percent and are planning layoffs to cope with the costs.

That has Mayor Jim Kenney up in arms, refusing to take any responsibility for the loss of jobs in his city.

Kenney, who appears confused why businesses are not choosing to eat the added costs, called product price hikes and layoffs due to the tax a “choice” by businesses to punish the city and its residents for the policy.

Corrie O'Connor