Measure AA

City of Berkeley Soda Tax Measure

Measure AA would replace the City's $0.01 per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax to fund public health, nutrition, and drinking water accessibility programs by nonprofits, the City, or Berkeley Unified School District. The measure retains current exemptions for small retailers, milk products, baby formula, alcoholic beverages, and medical and weight-loss products.

This measure requires approval by a majority of voters voting on the measure to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Measure AA is estimated to generate approximately $2,200,000 annually.

Next Alameda County Measure: Measure EE

See Endorsements for Measure AA

Pro:

Supporters say for more than a decade, Berkeley's tax on sugary drink distributors has· successfully funded school gardens, nutrition education and community health programs that benefit children and families across our city. Measure AA protects and strengthens that investment for the next generation. Measure AA is not a parcel tax or sales tax, it is a tax levied on Big Soda's sugary drink distributors with an exemption for Berkeley's small businesses.

A YES vote on this measure means: you support replacing the $0.01 per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax.

Con:

Opponents say lemonade, dairy-free Boba teas, Coke and Gatorade drinkers will pay more (+$1.04 total tax on a 'IJ's lemonade bottle) to support city-funded outreach programs with no accountability or proof of actual health outcomes. Taxing sweet drinks an additional 1 cent per ounce may further cut Berkeley purchases while sending more folks to the untaxed Richmond Costco and elsewhere. That's not good for anyone. Don't expand the unaccountable, feel-good bureaucracy.

A NO vote on this measure means: you are against replacing the $0.01 per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax.

Background

From 2016 to2025, the City of Berkeley allocated over $11.9 million generated from the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) distributor tax back into the community. 48% ($5.7M) was allocated to BUSD and 52% ($6.2M) to community-based organizations for initiatives that prioritized populations that are intentionally targeted by the beverage industry and that disproportionately experience the worst health outcomes associated with SSB consumption.

The tax revenue has funded 77,890 health and dental screenings; 31,180 community workshops, classes, and events; 3,111 food assistance touch-points, reaching 59,386 unduplicated community members; and the consumption of SSBs in Berkeley declined after the distributor tax was imposed and has been sustained over time.

Proposal

If approved, Measure AA would replace Berkeley’s existing $0.01 per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax. The tax is estimated to raise approximately $2,200,000 annually, an increase of approximately $1,000,000 over revenue from the City’s current SSB tax. Tax proceeds would be placed in a special fund and dedicated to specified public health, nutrition, and drinking water projects and programming.

Source: Measure AA Impartial Analysis

Alameda County Election Resources

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Con:

Background

Proposal

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