Outrage brewing over proposed 1,900% beer tax hike

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Five Oregon state lawmakers want to impose a hefty tax on beer and have introduced a bill that brewers say would cripple them.

Four Portland legislators joined a Springfield senator to introduce Oregon House Bill 2461, which would impose a $49.61 tax on each barrel of beer produced by Oregon brewers.

The tax would raise revenue for the state at a time when budgets are running in the red. Specifically, the bill says it would fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs for those addicted to alcohol and other substances.

It also defends the tax by claiming alcoholism and “untreated substance abuse” costs the state $4.15 billion in “lost earnings” as well as more than $8 million for health care and nearly $1 billion in law enforcement-related expenditures.

HB 2461 claims Oregon ranks 49th among states in its malt beverage taxation rate, which has not been raised in 32 years.

Brewers say it’s that low tax that makes Oregon such an attractive business climate for crafting beers, though. The state’s brewery guild claims it would also amount to the single largest beer tax hike in the nation's history.

Laurelwood Public House & Brewing Co. owner Mike De Kalb said the tax may sound like a good idea in this economic climate, but that in reality it would cost more Oregonians their jobs and would only amount to about $140 million in new tax revenue for the state.

Meanwhile, it would cost beer drinkers about $315 million as breweries are forced to pass along the tax increase.

“We’re a family-owned, local Portland business. We don’t want to see something cost taxpayers more than the revenue it would bring in,” De Kalb said. “If that tax is passed it would mean consumers would pay $315 million more (in 2009) to buy the same amount of beer they bought in 2008. A pint of beer would go from $4.50 to $6.”

De Kalb said Oregon would potentially lose its prominence as a craft-brew destination and that some small breweries could potentially go out of business.

He said Laurelwood could possibly face job cuts as well.

Prior versions of the beer tax bill have exempted small breweries but this one does not, he added.

House Bill 2461 has been introduced by Portland Reps. Ben Cannon and Michael Dembrow, Portland Sens. Jackie Dingfelder and Diane Rosenbaum, and Springfield Sen. William Morrisette.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_...6942e1.html?npc

Edited February 16, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[natty bumppo 297]

Could this be another whiskey rebellion brewing?

[Jasman0717 9]

Taxing my beloved beer

[Peikko 1,575]

They wouldn't have to if more people would admit that taxes are a necessary evil and apply them on a broader base. Sadly the 'smaller government' crowd have created an unwieldy wagon that we have to continue to travel on, despite the availability of much more comfortable modes of transportation being readily available.

Wow, my metaphor got quite out of hand...

[almaty 19]

commies

[Saddle Bronc 124]

They wouldn't have to if more people would admit that taxes are a necessary evil and apply them on a broader base. Sadly the 'smaller government' crowd have created an unwieldy wagon that we have to continue to travel on, despite the availability of much more comfortable modes of transportation being readily available.

Wow, my metaphor got quite out of hand...

And totally confoozling.

Basically, it is big government (which aims to do more than foreign relations, administration, judiciary and defence) that necessitated such a voracious tax appetitite.

Pare back to basic functions above (yeah, right) and government size (and tax bill) go down greatly.

(btw, infrastructure such as roads can go under defence).

[luckytxn 2,264]

You just know that they never thought about maybe reducing the government to stay in budget. Always first thought is more government and more taxes to fund it.

[Peikko 1,575]

That's what the GOP butter their bread with - but, the reality is that for a lot of things that simply isn't true. Mind you, the system is terribly unwieldy, that I will agree with.

[Danno 1,228]

They wouldn't have to if more people would admit that taxes are a necessary evil and apply them on a broader base. Sadly the 'smaller government' crowd have created an unwieldy wagon that we have to continue to travel on, despite the availability of much more comfortable modes of transportation being readily available.

Wow, my metaphor got quite out of hand...

As did your whole point

[Peikko 1,575]

No, I think not. There are some people who make a very handly living spouting off easy to chew rhetoric. Big government = big spending being one of the most abused. Seriously, we live in a society and society costs money.

[NickD 202]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Five Oregon state lawmakers want to impose a hefty tax on beer and have introduced a bill that brewers say would cripple them.

Four Portland legislators joined a Springfield senator to introduce Oregon House Bill 2461, which would impose a $49.61 tax on each barrel of beer produced by Oregon brewers.

The tax would raise revenue for the state at a time when budgets are running in the red. Specifically, the bill says it would fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs for those addicted to alcohol and other substances.

It also defends the tax by claiming alcoholism and "untreated substance abuse" costs the state $4.15 billion in "lost earnings" as well as more than $8 million for health care and nearly $1 billion in law enforcement-related expenditures.

HB 2461 claims Oregon ranks 49th among states in its malt beverage taxation rate, which has not been raised in 32 years.

Brewers say it's that low tax that makes Oregon such an attractive business climate for crafting beers, though. The state's brewery guild claims it would also amount to the single largest beer tax hike in the nation's history.

Laurelwood Public House & Brewing Co. owner Mike De Kalb said the tax may sound like a good idea in this economic climate, but that in reality it would cost more Oregonians their jobs and would only amount to about $140 million in new tax revenue for the state.

Meanwhile, it would cost beer drinkers about $315 million as breweries are forced to pass along the tax increase.

"We're a family-owned, local Portland business. We don't want to see something cost taxpayers more than the revenue it would bring in," De Kalb said. "If that tax is passed it would mean consumers would pay $315 million more (in 2009) to buy the same amount of beer they bought in 2008. A pint of beer would go from $4.50 to $6."

De Kalb said Oregon would potentially lose its prominence as a craft-brew destination and that some small breweries could potentially go out of business.

He said Laurelwood could possibly face job cuts as well.

Prior versions of the beer tax bill have exempted small breweries but this one does not, he added.

House Bill 2461 has been introduced by Portland Reps. Ben Cannon and Michael Dembrow, Portland Sens. Jackie Dingfelder and Diane Rosenbaum, and Springfield Sen. William Morrisette.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_...6942e1.html?npc

Let's see a US barrel is 31 gallons, eight pounds to a gallon 0r 128 ounces times 31 equals 3,968, divided by 12 ounces per can equals 331. With a $49.61 tax on each barrel that averages out to 15 cents a can. Doubt if that would stop anyone from buying a can of beer. Same arguments in WI, but here a six pack of beer is the same price as a six pack of coke, definitely cheaper than milk, and a hell of a lot cheaper than bottled water.

But do agree that our government is still looking for new areas to tax, ha, talked about taxing attorney services, attorneys screamed bloody murder as did the veterinarians, tax accountants, and other service related fields.

All I know in the last 30 years, our government services have gone to hell and we are paying ten times as much, state parks that were once free cost a fortune to enter today, as well as hunting and fishing licenses. Schools aren't worth a #######, they don't teach my kids, and while we had good roads for a nickel a gallon gas tax, they can't even clear off the snow for a half a buck a gallon tax.

Think we are getting screwed.

[Peikko 1,575]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Five Oregon state lawmakers want to impose a hefty tax on beer and have introduced a bill that brewers say would cripple them.

Four Portland legislators joined a Springfield senator to introduce Oregon House Bill 2461, which would impose a $49.61 tax on each barrel of beer produced by Oregon brewers.

The tax would raise revenue for the state at a time when budgets are running in the red. Specifically, the bill says it would fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs for those addicted to alcohol and other substances.

It also defends the tax by claiming alcoholism and "untreated substance abuse" costs the state $4.15 billion in "lost earnings" as well as more than $8 million for health care and nearly $1 billion in law enforcement-related expenditures.

HB 2461 claims Oregon ranks 49th among states in its malt beverage taxation rate, which has not been raised in 32 years.

Brewers say it's that low tax that makes Oregon such an attractive business climate for crafting beers, though. The state's brewery guild claims it would also amount to the single largest beer tax hike in the nation's history.

Laurelwood Public House & Brewing Co. owner Mike De Kalb said the tax may sound like a good idea in this economic climate, but that in reality it would cost more Oregonians their jobs and would only amount to about $140 million in new tax revenue for the state.

Meanwhile, it would cost beer drinkers about $315 million as breweries are forced to pass along the tax increase.

"We're a family-owned, local Portland business. We don't want to see something cost taxpayers more than the revenue it would bring in," De Kalb said. "If that tax is passed it would mean consumers would pay $315 million more (in 2009) to buy the same amount of beer they bought in 2008. A pint of beer would go from $4.50 to $6."

De Kalb said Oregon would potentially lose its prominence as a craft-brew destination and that some small breweries could potentially go out of business.

He said Laurelwood could possibly face job cuts as well.

Prior versions of the beer tax bill have exempted small breweries but this one does not, he added.

House Bill 2461 has been introduced by Portland Reps. Ben Cannon and Michael Dembrow, Portland Sens. Jackie Dingfelder and Diane Rosenbaum, and Springfield Sen. William Morrisette.

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_...6942e1.html?npc

Let's see a US barrel is 31 gallons, eight pounds to a gallon 0r 128 ounces times 31 equals 3,968, divided by 12 ounces per can equals 331. With a $49.61 tax on each barrel that averages out to 15 cents a can. Doubt if that would stop anyone from buying a can of beer. Same arguments in WI, but here a six pack of beer is the same price as a six pack of coke, definitely cheaper than milk, and a hell of a lot cheaper than bottled water.

But do agree that our government is still looking for new areas to tax, ha, talked about taxing attorney services, attorneys screamed bloody murder as did the veterinarians, tax accountants, and other service related fields.

All I know in the last 30 years, our government services have gone to hell and we are paying ten times as much, state parks that were once free cost a fortune to enter today, as well as hunting and fishing licenses. Schools aren't worth a #######, they don't teach my kids, and while we had good roads for a nickel a gallon gas tax, they can't even clear off the snow for a half a buck a gallon tax.

Think we are getting screwed.

Probably.

[Craneman 2]

They wouldn't have to if more people would admit that taxes are a necessary evil and apply them on a broader base. Sadly the 'smaller government' crowd have created an unwieldy wagon that we have to continue to travel on, despite the availability of much more comfortable modes of transportation being readily available.

Wow, my metaphor got quite out of hand...

You are so fond of taxes, would you pay mine too?

[Peikko 1,575]

They wouldn't have to if more people would admit that taxes are a necessary evil and apply them on a broader base. Sadly the 'smaller government' crowd have created an unwieldy wagon that we have to continue to travel on, despite the availability of much more comfortable modes of transportation being readily available.

Wow, my metaphor got quite out of hand...

You are so fond of taxes, would you pay mine too?

What kind of stupid question is that? You want to opt out so someone else has to pull your weight? I think not, mate.

Mind you, if you want to opt out of all government services so that there is no financial deficit by your not paying taxes, go right ahead.

Just because I accept my civic responsibilities, it certainly does not mean I want to take on the burden of some slacker who wants everything for nothing

[almaty 19]

pwned by my sister purple