LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer is one of 18 mayors pushing to keep government food vouchers from being used to buy soda and other sugary drinks.
The mayors of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, among others, say in a letter to congressional leaders that it is "time to test and evaluate approaches limiting" food stamps going to buy such drinks.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office released the letter. He drew a lot of attention, much of it negative, to the idea of barring restaurants and other food outlets from selling sugary drinks in large sizes. He's also attempted in 2010 to keep food stamps from buying soda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture turned that request down.
The USDA declined to comment on Tuesday's letter, and the American Beverage Association didn't immediately respond.
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