Vermont House Committee Kills Health Tax Plan

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A Vermont House committee has killed legislation that would have levied a new tax on sugary soft drinks.

In a move that drew the comment "Holy Smokes!" from a member of the Senate Health and Welfare committee, the House panel voted 5-5 on the measure. The tie vote killed the bill the committee had spent weeks drafting.

The money would pay for public health education and to help smooth the transition to a health care overhaul.

The tie vote came after committee members said a supporter of the bill, Rep. George Till, who is an obstetrician-gynecologist, had to leave for a medical emergency.

The vote appears to mean there will not be a new tax on sugar sweetened beverages.

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