Jim Kenney has served as mayor of Philadelphia since 2016. Throughout his tenure, he has been a dedicated advocate for children, youth, and their families. One of the hallmarks of his time in office has been the passage of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, which has provided approximately $171 million to support quality pre-K programs for 3- and 4-year-olds and $26 million to support community schools in the city since the tax’s inception in 2016. Philadelphia is one of the few cities in the country to levy this type of tax. Children’s Funding Project CEO Elizabeth Gaines recently spoke with Mayor Kenney about the campaign to secure the beverage tax in Philadelphia, the successes of the programs it supports, and Mayor Kenney’s advice for other local leaders looking for innovative ways to fund programs for children and youth.