Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tax on Some Drinks Would Help Medicaid

By Alabama Public Radio

Sylacauga, AL – A state legislator says he'll sponsor a bill to levy a five-cent tax on soft drinks, bottled water and other non-alcoholic beverages. The tax would raise about $225 million a year. State Representative Ron Johnson says the tax revenue would mostly go to the cash-strapped Medicaid agency and to a related children's health care program. The agency is already expected to ask for a $129 million increase in funding when the Legislature meets in February. John says he's not sure of his proposal's chance of passing. But the Sylacauga legislator says the money would help keep people in nursing homes.

News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.