Hundreds of employees from soft drink companies showed up at the Statehouse on Wednesday morning to show their opposition to a proposed soda tax on sugar.

Topeka ? A Senate committee Wednesday was holding a hearing on a proposal to impose a new tax on sugar in soft drinks.

Under Senate Bill 567, the tax would be a penny for every teaspoon of sugar, increasing the cost of a 12-ounce can of soda by 10 cents. An alternative bill would assess a quarter-cent per teaspoon tax.

Legislators are searching for ways to close a nearly $500 million budget shortfall.

Kansas Chamber of Commerce officials said 400 employees of soft drink companies showed up at the Capitol to voice their displeasure wih the tax proposals.