Pennsylvania’s High Court Declines to Consider SSB Tax

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has denied an application for
extraordinary relief filed by several industry groups in an effort to
prevent Philadelphia’s 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened
beverages (SSBs) from taking effect on January 1, 2017. Williams v.
City of Philadelphia, No. 160901452 (Ct. C.P., Philadelphia Cty., order
entered November 2, 2016). The one-page order does not provide any
reasoning for the decision. The lower court currently presiding over the
case has indicated that it will rule on the tax’s legality before the January
1 enforcement date. See The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 2, 2016.

Details about the industry lawsuit appear in Issue 617 of this Update.

Issue 621