Michigan lawmakers have voted to prohibit local taxes on food, drinks and gum.
Right now there isn't anyone considering such a tax in the state, but the vote is considered a pre-emptive strike against any municipality that might consider levying a tax on soda and other sugary and artificially sweetened items.
Legislation to ban local excise taxes on food and beverages won bipartisan approval 31-5 in the GOP-led Senate, just two weeks after it was introduced.
The Republican-led House could pass an identical fast-tracked bill as early as today.
Michigan generally exempts food, food ingredients and drinks sold at grocery stores from the state sales tax.
The tax is applied to food and beverages prepared by restaurants. The state has separate excise taxes on beer, wine, liquor and cigarettes.
