Election 2016: Prop V
Here's what you need to know to decide how to vote on San Francisco's Proposition V.
ICYMI: the 2016 election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, with early voting kicking off at San Francisco’s City Hall on Tuesday, October 11.
In addition to voting for officials at the local, state, and national level, San Franciscans will face a decision on 17 state ballot initiatives and 25 local propositions.
Not sure how to vote on Proposition V? We hope the brief voter guide below will help you decide!
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What Is Prop V?
Prop V would allow the city to impose a tax of one cent per ounce on the distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages (including soda, sports drinks, iced tea, juice drinks and energy drinks).
Who Supports Prop V?
Key supporters of Proposition V include: Mayor Ed Lee; Supervisors John Avalos, Eric Mar, Mark Farrell, Scott Wiener, and Malia Cohen; San Francisco Medical Society, San Francisco Dental Society, American Heart Association, and NAACP.
Supporters argue that sugar is a toxin and that science has demonstrated a direct link between sugary drinks and diseases like obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and dental decay.
Proponents contend that Prop V would help to improve children’s health, in particular, by generating $15 million per year for health education programs, increased access to drinking water, and school nutrition programs.
Proponents also emphasize that Prop V would assess a tax on the distributors of sugary beverages; it is not a grocery tax or tax on consumers.
Who Opposes Prop V?
Key opponents of Prop V include: the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club and Troy Reese, owner of Queen’s Louisiana Po Boy Cafe.
Opponents argue that, as a tax imposed on “distributors,” Prop V will have a direct impact on small business owners, who will in turn be forced to pass the tax on to consumers in the form of higher grocery costs across the board.
Opponents also contend that Prop V will not necessarily benefit health programs, as the official digest states “The City could use the proceeds of the tax for any governmental purpose.”
Learn More about Prop V
To learn more, read the full text of Proposition V.
