Nebraska Legislature looks at soda tax to help obesity rates - kotanow.com, KDUH, Scottsbluff, News, Weather and Sports

Is taxing bad habits the way to encourage good ones? Nebraska Legislature reviews a soda tax bill.

Lincoln Senator Bill Avery pitched a proposal to legislature that would tax soda in Nebraska.

Avery says the state needs to tax soda in an effort to reduce childhood obesity.

The bill would use part of the $11 million generated by the tax, for health programs across the state.

Schools and health programs show support for the bill, while the Nebraska Beverage and Grocery Association's were against it.

Senator Avery asked the Legislature's revenue committee to include the bill in a tax commission study.