CM JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN'

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MARCH 11, 2013

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN’

(New York, NY)— Today, the New York State Supreme Court halted the City of New York from implementing a ban on single-serving sugary drinks over 16 ounces, popularly known as the “soda ban”, which would have gone into effect on March 12, 2013. In a 37-page decision, Judge Milton Tingling “enjoined and permanently restrained” the City from exercising the ban, citing the regulations as “fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” and questioning the administration’s right to implement such policy without Legislative (City Council) support.

"I have argued that the Mayor's proposal to ban sugary drinks over 16 ounces was arbitrarily punitive and would most harshly target small local businesses, and I’m glad that the New York State Supreme Court agrees,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I believe in promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and if the administration wants to make meaningful gains in this area, they can begin by seeking to meet New York State requirements for physical education (PE) in schools. Although state requirements set the minimum standard for PE in high schools at two classes per week, IBO reports show that the DOE fails to meet this standard. I believe that increasing exercise, promoting healthy food choices, and developing urban farming programs in schools has a real and lasting effect on obesity.”

Council Member Letitia James has been actively involved in the “Let’s Move” Brooklyn campaign, developed nationally by First Lady Michelle Obama; and she recently joined with Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Women's City Club of New York, and the American Heart Association in calling on the NYC Department of Education to bring New York City public schools' Physical Education (PE) programs up to State requirements.

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