Proposed Beer Tax Has Industry's Hackles Up

No New Oregon Beer Tax is a Facebook Group organizing to resist the efforts of State Senators Bill Morrisette (D-Springfield) and Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland). The legislators seek to raise the Oregon's beer tax, making it the highest in the nation. Presently, the tax is fourth lowest in the nation.



According to Rogue Pundit, "this is the fifth straight legislative session they've tried this, though the amounts and details always change considerably."

HB-2461, also sponsored by Representatives Ben Cannon (D-Portland) and Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), would set the new "prevention, treatment and recovery tax" at $49.61 per 31-gallon barrel. The new tax would be about 15 cents per 12-ounce glass of beer and 90 cents a six-pack.

The money would go into a new Alcohol Impact Remediation Fund, which would support the Department of Corrections and Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for the treatment of drug addiction and associated costs. Additionally, funds would flow to statewide alcohol and drug use prevention initiatives and support services.

Organizers against the tax are calling for a show of resistance on Monday, February 23, 2009 from 8:00am - 11:00am at the Oregon State Capitol (Hearing Room A) in Salem.