Yes on Measure Z, propose sugary drink tax continues to maintain a narrow lead
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — Following the results of Measure Z, the proposed sugary drink tax in Santa Cruz.
The measure poised to just barely pass Saturday with the yes votes standing at about 51%, but opinions in the community remain divided.
Measure Z proposes a 2-cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks and continues to maintain a narrow lead. However, arguments between supporters and opponents are far from over.
4 days after the election, the city of Santa Cruz is still split over paying more for sugary drinks.
"These drinks that have high sugar content are very unhealthy," John Roevekanp yes on measure M said. "I have read that other towns that have passed the same measure, they have seen a reduction in the consumption of, so I think that in the long run a good idea.
"The amazing thing is that humans have been around for thousands of years deciding on their own without voting on what to put in your refrigerator and now it seems they can't," Vance Mcclair Santa Cruz said.
Measure Z is intended to fund essential city services such as maintaining parks, providing safe routes to schools and addressing public health issues like obesity and diabetes, and while many people agree those are important goals, it's the extra money coming out of people's pockets that's causing controversy.
"I think it'd be healthy for them but it is, you know, hurts people on low incomes more," John from Santa Cruz said.
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"I'm sorry that it does impact people of lower income more," Roevekanp said. "But that just indicates that they're not getting the right message, which is that these are not the things they should be drinking."
Despite the potential health benefits, opponents maintain the tax will burden families and small businesses who are already facing rising prices and economic uncertainty.
"Businesses are going to get hit harder and they're going to have to sustain that somehow without reducing, you know, staff," Mcclair said.
The Santa Cruz County elections department will release updated results on Monday at 4pm.
