new york successfully fund campaign pass soda tax philadelphia billionaire michael bloomberg prepare fund similar efforts several cities give new momentum measure seek limit soft drink consumption former new york city mayor contribute bulk money pro-soda tax side philadelphia provide around 1.6 million prominent public health crusader support measure san francisco oakland california year howard wolfson senior adviser bloomberg say conference call friday bloomberg may also support soda tax drive seattle multnomah county oregon include portland 2017 wolfson say billionaire plan back raise stake powerful beverage industry lobby hard defeat many 43 municipal state-level attempt implement soda tax fail since 2008. week berkeley california u.s. city soda tax success philadelphia country fifth-largest city diverse population 1.6 million could mark turn point americans become aware health campaigners message sugary soft drink contribute obesity diabetes berkeley tremor philadelphia earthquake expect earthquakes go forward wolfson say new york mayor bloomberg lead efforts pass state-level soda tax prevent residents buy sodas food stamp limit size sugary beverages efforts prompt public outcry dub nanny state initiatives three measure ultimately defeat philadelphia mayor jim kenney take different approach emphasize revenue benefit tax health angle city council approve measure 13-4 vote thursday activists raise total around million accord kevin feeley lead pro-tax campaign feeley wolfson say soda industry outspent pro-tax campaign spokeswoman american beverage association aba represent coca-cola co pepsico fund local group oppose tax say group yet final tally much spend spokeswoman add group would oppose discriminatory tax proposals group say tax passage philadelphia result unique local political condition unlikely ripple effect cities aba say thursday would sue philadelphia stop tax wolfson rule possibility bloomberg would contribute aid city defense wolfson decline specify amount bloomberg will spend san francisco oakland efforts note position match soda dollar dollar bloomberg contributions mean help level play field say story correct first name howard wolfson paragraph two previously say michael bloomberg look west bankroll philadelphia soda tax win