Seattle Voters to Settle Espresso Tax Issue

A proposal to place a 10-cent tax on espresso drinks sold in Seattle will appear on the Sept. 16 ballot. The City Council declined to adopt the initiative as law and instead voted 7 to 1 to send it to voters.

If the tax passes, the money would be allocated for the city’s preschool and child-care programs, including salaries of teachers and teachers’ aides.

The tax originated with the Economic Opportunity Institute, a private, nonprofit think tank funded by labor unions and foundations. Preliminary research shows that most people in Seattle are in favor of the tariff, which would be levied on any drink that contains half an ounce or more of espresso.