Oregon Beer Tax (sales, buy, wage)

[subsound]

I've been hearing about this on and off, they are contemplating raising the tax on beer from ~$2.50 a 33 gallon barrel to ~$49 a barrel. According to the "news math", it can be $1.50 per 6 pack

Oregon Beer Tax Of 1,900 Percent Proposed, Sparks Outrage

Are these lawmakers insane? Talk about killing the micro brew industry in Oregon. Raising a tax on that level, and doing it during a pretty extensive economic recession, is a pretty terrible idea in my opinion...beer sales are already down and these companies are already having trouble staying profitable.

[LeftCoastee]

The projected revenue seems a bit ridiculous and highly unlikely. The bill states that the tax applies to all beer produced and imported in to Oregon. This will force brewers and many consumers to other states.

[PNW-type-gal]

My favorite - Rogue Dead Guy Ale - is already $10.99 a six at Fred's (on "sale" this week at $9.49). With the new tax it'll go up a buck a six. Eeeek.

Fortunately I also homebrew beer and I have a good replicator recipe.....

[subsound]

It just seems nuts, just the over reaching for the higher prices for Oregon beer...it's good but outside consumers can find others at least as good for lower prices. Beer is still a big money maker for restaurants, if the price goes up...then people will buy less in total (even at happy hour). I know I'll stop drinking beer, even the cheap stuff, at that much of an increase.

All this for what, to help alcoholics...a choice by people to drink way too much to the point where they cannot function in society and their health is in danger. This of course makes people more depressed and drink even more.

It's not worth it to destroy an industry that's not only known across the country, but held in high regard, to save people who make bad choices and force the people around them to take care of them.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Well, the state is hurting for money and it is a liberally controlled state so new taxes are the order of the day.

[Rob Allen]

They proposed raising the tax to ~$49 a barrel so that when they settle on ~$29 a barrel, everyone will feel relieved and forget that it used to be $2.50.

It's been $2.50 for decades; most other taxes have been raised in the meantime. It's reasonable to consider raising it.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by Rob Allen

They proposed raising the tax to ~$49 a barrel so that when they settle on ~$29 a barrel, everyone will feel relieved and forget that it used to be $2.50.

It's been $2.50 for decades; most other taxes have been raised in the meantime. It's reasonable to consider raising it.

Yes, but reasonable and gouging are two different animals.

[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.

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Originally Posted by Minervah

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 think it's a ploy too, get the people who really want to help the poor people who can't help it...I bet the bill doesn't have a word about that!

[scottinpdx]

I think a lot of bars would close down if this happens. Just with the rise in price of beer kegs last year and the bars going from paying $15 deposit on kegs to $30 deposit was bad enough for a lot of bars in oregon. With a beer tax raise the price of beer means trouble for the bar buisness since they will have to pay more so the customers will pay more. There goes dollar beer night!