Last evening the St. Helens, Ore., city council unanimously rejected a beverage tax that would have harmed working families and small businesses. The 5-0 vote against the tax followed a public forum where dozens turned out in the town of about 13,000 to express their opposition to the tax.

According to an article in the Columbia County Spotlight, “The city council chambers were packed with every seat taken, leaving only standing room near the chamber entrance, and nearly 20 people still outside.”

Taxes that target working families, their wallets and their jobs are unpopular in communities across the country, both large and small. Fortunately for the people of St. Helens, their city councilors listened to the small business owners, employees and residents who made it clear that a beverage tax was not wanted in their town.