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Berkeley voters are being asked to decide Measure AA, a plan to double the city’s sugary‑drink distributor tax. Supporters say the extra money will go to schools, community health and water‑access programs. But recent reporting has raised serious questions about how soda‑tax dollars have been spent — and whether more of the same is what the city needs right now.
What Measure AA would actually do
Measure AA would raise the soda tax from $0.01 to $0.02 per fluid ounce. That means a can of soda would cost roughly 12 cents more today and about 24 cents more if the measure passes. The city estimates the higher rate would bring in around $2.2 million a year. The measure also converts the tax from a general fund levy into a special tax with set spending categories and promises reporting and audit rules. Supporters argue inflation has eroded the original tax’s buying power and say the new language adds accountability.
The oversight controversy that voters should notice
The real story right now is not the abstract case for health programs. It’s the messy questions about who got the money in the first place. Recent articles flagged a major local grantee, Healthy Black Families, which has reportedly received more than $2.2 million in soda‑tax grants since the tax began. Reviewers say the nonprofit’s public tax filings show conflicting compensation numbers, large “miscellaneous” and legal expense line items, and weak board disclosures. Those reviewers called the filings troubling — language worth taking seriously, even if the reports rely on secondary analysis of Form 990s rather than a city audit.
Why Berkeley taxpayers should push for answers before voting
Berkeley faces real problems — broken streets, overflowing homeless camps, rising public‑safety worries and budget gaps. Doubling a tax to fund programs is reasonable only if the money is tracked, audited and producing clear results. Yet some soda‑tax grants cited in recent coverage include $245,000 for “life skills” training for day laborers and $125,000 for a group labeled “Artists Against Soda.” Voters should ask whether those uses meet a strict test of effectiveness and oversight before agreeing to increase the levy.
Demand an independent audit and real transparency
Measure AA promises new reporting rules on paper. That is not enough. Berkeley needs an independent audit of past soda‑tax grants, a full, line‑by‑line list of award contracts, and on‑the‑record answers from Mayor Adena Ishii, City Manager Paul Buddenhagen and the grantees themselves — including Healthy Black Families. Voters who care about taxpayers, results and basic accountability should treat this ballot question like any other budget decision: don’t write a bigger check until you can see the receipts. If officials want more money, make them prove they’ve earned every cent — before doubling down on mystery spending and “Artists Against Soda” legal bills.
