Baltimore Mulls Layoffs, Service Cuts, Soda Tax

Technically it would have been a tax on all bottled beverages, but whatever supporters or detractors called the measure is now moot. The Baltimore City Council voted down the $11.4 million revenue-generator on Thursday. As of today, the city still faces a $120 million budget gap and has few options for closing it.

Most likely to face layoffs is the Department of Public Works, which would have received the bulk of the revenue from the bottle tax. Over 30 workers in wastewater and solid waste removal face immediate layoffs and over 350 positions may be cut or left vacant in the new fiscal year.