Kan. Legislators Considering New Soda Tax

Kansas would impose a new tax on soda a penny for every teaspoon of sugar under a proposal for closing a budget shortfall.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee agreed Tuesday to sponsor the bill at the request of Republican Sen. John Vratil of Leawood. The measure would raise $90 million during the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The cost to consumers would be a dime on every 12-ounce can of regular soda.

The Senate committee is also weighing a proposal to raise sales and tobacco taxes.

Kansas faces a projected $467 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Top Republican senators, including Vratil, are pushing for $300 million in tax increases.