Soda Tax Brief: Our Kids Are Still Worth It! (2018)

The soda tax case has finally made its way to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last Friday, PCCY, Ceiba, Inc., the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children (DVAEYC) and the Public Health Management Corporation (“PHMC”) filed an amicus brief (attached) with the Court to show our support for and commitment to kids’ health and access to quality early childhood education. Ultimately, we made 3 arguments: (1) the tax supports the health of children in Philadelphia by encouraging kids to drink less sugary drinks; (2) the tax helps pay for improved access to parks, rec centers and playgrounds for kids; and (3) the tax improves outcomes for kids by giving more families access to high quality pre-k.  It isn’t rocket science. Good investment = good results. We urge the Court to uphold the tax and support the city’s efforts to invest in our kids’ health and education.