Vending

West Virginia explores ending soda tax

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February 9, 2022

Lawmakers in West Virginia are trying to eliminate a soda tax that raises funds for West Virginia University, according to a report in The Herald-Dispatch. The tax — one cent per every 16.9 ounces of soda and other rates for other ingredients — has been effective since 1951.

The Senate Finance Committee approved the bill which now heads to the Senate for a vote, after which it will go to the House of Delegates.

The bill would transfer insurance tax revenue to cover the lost soda tax revenue, which is about $14 million annually.