Oregon lobby pours on pressure to pass beer tax
By Noah Davis • Apr 22nd, 2009 • Category: Beer News
Just a day after California took a step towards raising taxes on beer, Oregon did the same as House Bill 2461 — which would add 15 cents to the cost of every glass of beer or wine — found support from the Local 503 of the Service Employees International Union and the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
According to a study done by Moore Information Inc., 61 percent of the state’s residents would agree to the hike if the money funded substance abuse treatment and prevention programs.
The beer lobby, however, sees another side of the issue. It would increase the excise tax on a barrel of beer 1800 percent, from $2.60 to $49.61. Furthermore, 3,000 jobs in the brewing industry would likely be lost while the cost of a pint would jump $1.25 and $2.00 for a six-pack. Get thee to a voting booth.
“61 percent of the state’s residents would agree to the hike if the money funded substance abuse treatment and prevention programs.”
Only, the tax increase is being proposed just for beer, not wine and spirits. Why the “special” treatment for beer?