Passing a soda tax in Kern County

Kern County residents are more obese and have more heart disease and diabetes than Californians on average, and youth reporter Randy Villegas makes the case that these alarming health statistics should prompt action. He cites other cities that have addressed these epidemics by taxing sugary beverages. "As a child growing up, I was obese and would often consume a couple of soda cans a day. Combined with a lack of exercise and not enough sleep, I was on a downward path likely ending in diabetes and other health problems." His op-ed appeared on South Kern Sol.