Oregon Beer Tax - Portland - (OR) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

EnricoV · 03-01-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minervah

Once again the average wage earner in this state will be forced to cut down or cut out something pleasurable. Those doing well will gripe but can afford the tax. Those who can't will just have to forgo their brewskis.

They are saying the money will go to treating alcoholism? Right, and I have this bridge over the Willamette to sell the taxpayers too.

I consider beer to be a luxury, not a necessity. And if they're one of "those who can't" ... cutting back on luxuries is one of those things that they more than likely need to do.

Not to mention how incredibly ridiculous it is that there is any singular tax that hasn't increased since the 1970s. Seems to me, it's about time.

<<ducks all the beer drinkers>>

subsound · 03-01-2009, 10:25 AM

I think it's not bad to raise the tax, but so much at such a bad time is insane. You raise it a good bit when things are going well, because heck people can afford it...though 1600% is way to high no matter which way you look at it. Then when the economy hits the toilet you cut a little bit off it and say you're doing it to help people out. Doing it in reverse as a politician is a good way to get people to beat you up in the parking lot.

PNW-type-gal · 03-01-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnricoV

I consider beer to be a luxury, not a necessity. And if they're one of "those who can't" ... cutting back on luxuries is one of those things that they more than likely need to do.

Not to mention how incredibly ridiculous it is that there is any singular tax that hasn't increased since the 1970s. Seems to me, it's about time.

<<ducks all the beer drinkers>>

Then why not raise the tax on wine as well, which has the same history of no tax increase? The microbrewery industry strikes me as just important as the winery industry.

EnricoV · 03-02-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Then why not raise the tax on wine as well, which has the same history of no tax increase? The microbrewery industry strikes me as just important as the winery industry.

If you're correct that it hasn't (I don't know) sounds like it should. But that's not a good enough argument for me as to why they shouldn't raise the beer tax. Beer today, wine tomorrow!

And I hear you, subsound, about huge increases. I don't like them either. But I think 30 years of no increases forgives a larger increase to raise it to the level where it should have been all along.

scottinpdx · 03-06-2009, 05:03 PM

This tax increase will lead to lay offs of bar staff, distribution center workers and drivers, bars will cut down to only a few taps. Plus many bars will just close down. for a bar that sells a microbrew pint for $4.00 would have to sell it for around $6.00 just to make the same profit.

EnricoV · 03-08-2009, 03:28 AM

I seriously doubt it. Do you even know what is proposed? Current tax on a pint of beer is .01 and has been for over 30 years. The proposed increase in the tax would be .20 on a pint of beer. Hardly highway robbery. The tax currently is $2.60 on something that cost about $450. The proposed increase is to a tax that would be about $49. It just doesn't seem unreasonable to me. And if places are claiming they'll increase the cost to the consumer 50% will be ripping you off, and deserve to fail in business.

But keep on warning the masses, Penny Little.

LeftCoastee · 03-08-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnricoV

I seriously doubt it. Do you even know what is proposed? Current tax on a pint of beer is .01 and has been for over 30 years. The proposed increase in the tax would be .20 on a pint of beer. Hardly highway robbery. The tax currently is $2.60 on something that cost about $450. The proposed increase is to a tax that would be about $49. It just doesn't seem unreasonable to me. And if places are claiming they'll increase the cost to the consumer 50% will be ripping you off, and deserve to fail in business.

But keep on warning the masses, Penny Little.

Your math is correct assuming it will be a tax that is a direct pass-thru to the consumer. The brewers are stating that by the time distributors and retailers are finished marking up their prices to cover the increase, it will be around $2 per 6-pack and up to $1.50 per pint. Granted, they have a VERY biased opinion and are being Penny Little.

Realistically, it will be somewhere between $0.20 and $1.50 per pint. So, if its $0.85 more a pint, I'm probably still going to have that beer and I'd imagine most will do the same.

EnricoV · 03-08-2009, 03:22 PM

As I said, if they bump it up that much ... they're the ones doing the ripping off. There is no reason for anyone along the supply chain to have to increase anything more than the actual tax. It requires no additional work, no additional employees, no additional cost. So, if they do increase it more than that ... in my opinion they are ripping you off. Not the taxman.

scottinpdx · 03-08-2009, 03:29 PM

Where are you getting your information? I am getting mine from from Bar owners and Distributors.

LeftCoastee · 03-08-2009, 06:10 PM

He is getting his information from the actual Bill being proposed.

The current excise tax on beer produced or imported in to Oregon is $2.60 per barrel. The Bill being proposed, increases that to $49.61 per barrel.

There are 31 gallons in a barrel, 8 pints to a gallon.

New tax is an increase of $47.01 per barrel or ~$0.19 per pint.