Opinion: 20 Philly-area black clergy: Beverage tax harms our community and businesses
As faith leaders in the Philadelphia community, we have closely monitored the impact of the beverage tax on those we serve. The tax is intended to ensure our children’s access to early childhood education, critical funding for economic development, and additional community programming. Though these initiatives are essential parts of building a Philadelphia that works for everyone, ultimately, the beverage tax does more harm than good because it targets the members of our community who can least afford it.
One group hit especially hard by the tax is seniors. The beverage tax targets many beverages consumed by seniors and others in need of supplemental nutrition, like almond milk, nutrient-rich liquid foods (such as most Ensure products), sports beverages, and some teas. As a result, the tax has had a direct impact on the cost of living for vulnerable members of our community, requiring them to spend more of their already limited incomes on groceries.