OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state voters have rolled back new taxes on candy, gum, pop, bottled water and some processed foods.
Initiative 1107 was winning by about 63 percent to 37 percent in unofficial returns. More than half the expected votes had been counted.
The taxes were part of a package of hikes the Washington Legislature approved earlier this year to help avoid deeper cuts to state spending.
The repeal campaign was led by the national soda lobby's American Beverage Association, which contributed almost all the effort's nearly $16.8 million treasury.
Opponents were vastly outspent. They raised less than $500,000 from unions, health clinics and others who rely on the state spending bankrolled by the tax increases.
