Question 1

How does the tax work?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA updates Berkeley’s existing tax on distributors of sugary drinks by increasing it from one cent per ounce to two cents per ounce. The tax applies to distributors of sugary drinks and establishes clear guidelines for how revenue may be used to support nutrition, health and community programs. This is not a parcel or sales tax. It is a tax levied on distributors of sugary drinks.

Question 2

What would the tax do?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA provides dedicated funding for proven programs that support the health and well-being of Berkeley residents. In addition to increasing the present Sugary Drink Distributor Tax from one cent to two cents, the measure clearly details how revenue will be allocated:42.5% reserved for Berkeley Unified School District nutrition and gardening programs42.5% for community-based nutrition education, health services and improved water access programs15% for administrative overhead, public oversight and annual reportingBy clearly outlining how funds will be spent, Measure AA helps ensure transparency and accountability.

Question 3

How much would the measure raise?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA is expected to raise an estimated $2 million per year for critical school garden and health programming.

Question 4

Is there support among Berkeley voters for the measure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Berkeley voters approved the nation’s first Sugary Drink Distributor Tax in 2014 with 75% support. In 2024, voters once again demonstrated strong support by making the tax permanent with 81% approval. To place Measure AA on the 2026 ballot, volunteers gathered signatures from more than 5,000 Berkeley residents who support continued investments to protect the health of Berkeley’s children and help all Berkeley’s residents thrive.

Question 5

Has the Sugary Drink Distributor Tax made a difference?

Accepted Answer

It certainly has! A comprehensive study on the impact of the first 10 years of the tax showed significant improvements in the health behavior of Berkeley residents. Consumption of sugary drinks dropped by more than 30%, 80,000 health and dental screenings were provided and, just last year, 12,000 Berkeley Unified School District students attended gardening or nutrition classes. Those are just some of the outcomes from this funding.

Question 6

Who is supporting Measure AA?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA is supported by a broad coalition of health, education and community organizations, including the American Heart Association, the Ecology Center, Healthy Black Families, the mayor and council members, principals and school board members, faith-based community leaders, doctors and dentists. They all share a commitment to stop Big Soda and protect the health of our community, our children and help all Berkeley residents thrive.

Question 7

Is it fair to single out sugary drink distributors with a tax?

Accepted Answer

Yes! According to the American Heart Association, sugary drinks, including soda, energy drinks, sports drinks and other beverages with added sugar remain the largest source of added sugar in the American diet and contribute to serious health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and tooth decay. The predatory marketing of these beverages to children and communities of color is especially pervasive and dangerous. Measure AA helps ensure that a portion of the revenue generated from sugary drink sales is invested back into programs that support nutrition, health education and community well-being.

Question 8

My grocery bill is already high enough, why would I want to add to that cost?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA applies to distributors, not consumers. While distributors may choose to pass along the cost to the consumers, the measure itself is not a tax on residents’ grocery purchases. It applies specifically to these unhealthy products and invests the revenue in programs that benefit Berkeley families and communities. Only those who purchase these products will pay these costs.

Question 9

Didn’t we just pass this bill a couple of years ago? Why are you back at it again?

Accepted Answer

Berkeley voters first approved the Sugary Drink Distributor Tax in 2014, raising monies for school nutrition and gardens, as well as community health programs and water resources. In 2024, 81% of voters chose to extend the tax beyond the original 10-year period and elected to make the tax on distributors permanent. Measure AA updates the existing tax will increase from one cent to two cents per ounce so funding for successful programs can keep pace with inflation and rising costs. Measure AA also provides greater clarity about how funding may be allocated and ties the funding levels to the Consumer Price Index to protect these programs over time.

Question 10

There are a lot of tax initiatives on the Berkeley ballot. Why should I support this one?

Accepted Answer

There are, but it is important to remember that this is not a tax on residents. It is a tax on the distributors of sugary drinks to make Big Soda pay for some of the damage they have done to the health of our children and our community.

Question 11

Like most taxes, won’t all the money be eaten up by bureaucrats and red tape?

Accepted Answer

No. Measure AA clearly defines how funds may be used and requires 85% of all revenue go directly to nutrition, health and community programs aimed at improving the health and nutrition of Berkeley residents. Administrative costs are capped at 15% and cover oversight, reporting and administration needed to ensure transparency and accountability.

Question 12

How do I know these funds will be spent responsibly?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA clearly defines how funds may be used and requires 85% of all revenue go directly to nutrition, health and community programs aimed at improving the health and nutrition of Berkeley residents. Administrative costs are capped at 15% and cover oversight, reporting and administrative needs to ensure transparency and accountability.

Question 13

Does Measure AA support equitable health?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Measure AA expands investments that support healthy eating, increase access to drinking water and help counter beverage industry marketing practices. Funding prioritizes programs that serve populations facing greater barriers to health, including youths, African American, Latino and lower-income communities.

Question 14

Is there an effort to address equity in how these funds will be spent?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The two-cent Sugary Drink Distributor Tax will expand the health equity grant program that supports healthy eating (including BUSD gardens), promote water access and counter beverage industry marketing, with a focus on priority groups: youths, African Americans, Latinos and low-income communities.

Question 15

I thought that California couldn’t leverage beverage taxes?

Accepted Answer

Berkeley passed the Sugary Drink Distributor Tax in 2014, prior to pre-emption laws put into place by Big Soda. Because it preceded those industry pre-emption efforts, Berkeley can continue to levy taxes on sugary drink distributors and use those funds to support community health, nutrition and education programs.

Question 16

Why not just continue the existing tax at its current level?

Accepted Answer

Measure AA updates Berkeley's existing tax so that successful school nutrition, gardening and community health programs can keep pace with rising costs. Without adjustment, inflation reduces the purchasing power of these funds over time. Measure AA helps preserve and strengthen investments that Berkeley voters have already supported and that have delivered measurable results for more than a decade.

RESOURCES

Materials

FAQs

How does the tax work?

What would the tax do?

How much would the measure raise?

Is there support among Berkeley voters for the measure?

Has the Sugary Drink Distributor Tax made a difference?

Who is supporting Measure AA?

Is it fair to single out sugary drink distributors with a tax?

My grocery bill is already high enough, why would I want to add to that cost?

Didn’t we just pass this bill a couple of years ago? Why are you back at it again?

There are a lot of tax initiatives on the Berkeley ballot. Why should I support this one?

Like most taxes, won’t all the money be eaten up by bureaucrats and red tape?

How do I know these funds will be spent responsibly?

Does Measure AA support equitable health?

Is there an effort to address equity in how these funds will be spent?

I thought that California couldn’t leverage beverage taxes?

Why not just continue the existing tax at its current level?

RESOURCES

Materials​

FAQs

How does the tax work?

What would the tax do?

How much would the measure raise?

Is there support among Berkeley voters for the measure?

Has the Sugary Drink Distributor Tax made a difference?

Who is supporting Measure AA?

Is it fair to single out sugary drink distributors with a tax?

My grocery bill is already high enough, why would I want to add to that cost?

Didn’t we just pass this bill a couple of years ago? Why are you back at it again?

There are a lot of tax initiatives on the Berkeley ballot. Why should I support this one?

Like most taxes, won’t all the money be eaten up by bureaucrats and red tape?

How do I know these funds will be spent responsibly?

Does Measure AA support equitable health?

Is there an effort to address equity in how these funds will be spent?

I thought that California couldn’t leverage beverage taxes?

Why not just continue the existing tax at its current level?

Materials