The American Beverage Association and a group of retailers, distributors and consumers who oppose Philadelphia's recently passed tax on sweetened drinks hit the city with a state court lawsuit Wednesday, accusing it of duplicating a tax imposed by the state that will diminish the purchasing power of local residents.
In a 61-page complaint, the ABA and other parties took aim at the city and the commissioner of its Department of Revenue over its sweetened beverage tax, a 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks and diet sodas that was passed in June.
Litigation attorneys Marc Sonnenfeld, John Lavelle Jr., and Thomas Sullivan represent the American Beverage Association on the matter.