OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Opponents who want to roll back new state taxes on soda, bottled water and candy have turned in nearly 400,000 signatures in their effort to make the November ballot.
Sponsors of Initiative 1107 turned in their signed petitions in Olympia on Friday morning. The 395,103 signatures they submitted is well above the 241,000 required to qualify for the ballot.
The taxes on soda, beer, and bottled water took effect June 1. The taxes were part of lawmakers’ efforts this year to balance a $2.8 billion budget deficit.
The tax on soda bottlers adds 2 cents to every 12-ounce container, but exempt bottlers under $10 million in volume. Candy, gum and water is also subject to the state’s 6.5 percent sales tax.
