HEC/News: Legislature considers raise in tax on beer (The Register-Guard)

HEC/News
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Legislature considers raise in tax on beer
The Register-Guard (OR) February 24, 2009
By David Steves

"As it has every session this decade, the Legislature is considering a
raise in the excise tax on beer makers and distributors. House Bill
2461, given its first hearing Monday, would raise that tax from $2.60 to
$49.61 per 31-gallon barrel..."

"Advocates of the increase argued that lawmakers should look at the tax
on a per-beer basis. By that measure, it would increase the tax, per
12-ounce serving, from just under a penny to 15 cents. The money raised,
$330 million over a two-year period, would go primarily to drug and
alcohol addiction treatment, with the rest going to alcohol and drug use
prevention programs and recovery support services..."

"'The evidence is quite solid. Increasing the price of beer reduces
youth drinking,' said Anthony Biglan, senior scientist with the
Eugene-based Oregon Research Institute. Biglan cited research to back
assertions that beyond funneling millions of dollars into treatment and
prevention programs, the increased price would deter consumption..."

Full article available at
http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/8280804-4
1/story.csp

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Received on Wed Feb 25 2009 - 16:26:52 EST