Philadelphia's beverage tax brings in $6.4M in February

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia's new tax on sweetened beverages is slightly exceeding expectations.

Figures released Thursday by the city's Department of Revenue show the tax brought in $6.4 million in February. The city had projected the tax would generate $6.3 million for the month.

The 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sweetened and diet beverages funds pre-K and community schools. It also will help pay to renovate recreation centers, libraries and parks.

The tax generated $5.9 million in January, more than double its prediction of $2.3 million.

The tax is imposed at the distributor level. If fully passed onto the consumer, it amounts to $1.44 on a six-pack of 16 ounce bottles.

Pepsi is pulling 2-liter bottles and 12-packs of its products from Philadelphia stores to offer products and sizes that working families can better afford.

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The Associated Press has corrected this story to show the city's projection for February was $6.3 million, not $5.9 million.

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