A proposed ballot initiative could make Portland, Oregon, the third high-profile city in the country to put a special tax on sugary drinks.The nonprofit Upstream Public Health proposed Portland's ballot initiative in June. It would tax sugary drinks such as soda and sports drinks at a penny per ounce, to fund public health initiatives such as physical education and early education for low-income families in Multnomah County.The tax "is the ideal way to fund these critical initiatives, because it will reduce the consumption of empty calories which are linked to diabetes, heart disease and other conditions," said Mel Rader, executive director of Upstream Public Health, who filed a petition for review of ballot title and explanatory statement against Multnomah County on June 28.To read the full story, click here.