A Rhode Island lawmaker has pulled a proposed tax on sugary soda from the legislative agenda but plans to bring the idea back next year.
Representative Edith Ajello, a Providence Democrat, said that not enough supporters were available to address lawmakers during a hearing Wednesday. The proposal would add a tax of one penny per ounce to the cost of regular soda or other sugar-sweetened drinks.
Diet sodas or other nonsugared drinks would not be subject to the tax. Ajello wants the revenue to fund initiatives to fight obesity, diabetes, and other public health threats.
