BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore City Council has given preliminary approval to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's plan for an increased bottle tax.
The legislation would raise the tax on bottled beverages from 2 cents to 5 cents in July 2013 and the funds would be used to renovate the city's crumbling schools.
Supporters say the tax increase would be a key step toward the largest overhaul of the city's school in decades.
But store owners and beverage industry leaders say the measure will push shoppers into the suburbs.
The council gave its approval Monday. A final vote is expected next week.
