State Lawmakers Mull Soda Tax

How about taking a little fizz out of your soda for the taxman? Lawmakers trying to find money to fix the state's multi-billion dollar deficit are entertaining an idea is floating around Springfield to tax distributors of sodas and sugary beverages. The proposal would impose a penny-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, syrups, or powders. Estimates vary on how much money the tax would collect—anywhere from $375 to 600 million.