[freedombiz]

The state doesn't pretend the tax will raise any money for bankrupt California. It's about "fairness," not to taxpayers or wine drinkers but to beer producers.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It's about "fairness," not to taxpayers or wine drinkers but to beer producers.

There is the little thing about equal protection, or in this case equal exploitation, under the law.

[FatherofFive]

Raise taxes, increase price, reduce demand, reduce sales, reduce tax revenues.

Works every time. Brilliant!

[King_Corey]

Instead of falling off into the Ocean, California Legislature decides to implode the state from within.

[mewykwistmas]

“that government starts down with a well-intentioned tax increase with unexpected consequences”

well-intentioned ? For whom, for the ‘public servants’ with $300,000 pensions?

[massmike]

The Board of Equalization

...if EVER there was an Orwellian term......

[bill1952]

WTH is “The Board of Equalization?”

Seriously, that is so Orwellian that it sounds to the left of Stalin.

[proxy_user]

“.....wines to which distilled alcohol has been added, such as wine specialties, flavored table wine, wine cocktails, wine coolers or blends of wine from different fruits”

Aren’t these the sort of wines commonly purchased by homeless vagrants? It seems like they’re out to tax bums, who are thought not to vote or follow politics.

[econjack]

The excise tax is paid by manufacturers, wine growers and importers and if they fail to pay it, by retailers who typically pass it on to consumers, several retailers told the Register.

You've got to be kidding. All business taxes are ultimately paid by the consumer. Libs love to think their followers are so stupid (which, for the most part, they are) that they will accept a tax on all those bad business people and the libs will cheer them on...which they do. Unfortunately, those of us with more than one neuron firing recognize that such taxes must come from business income, which ultimately must come from the consumer. Idiots...

[traditional1]

Put the same tax on crack cocaine, and the National Debt could be gone in 5 years......

[kidd]

That is a product killer tax. Consumers will buy from other wine producing regions.

The California death spiral has accelerated.

[Texas resident]

Looks like the wine industry will be the next industry that starts looking to leave California.

[libertarian27]

You know that in the back of every tax/spend politicians mind out there is a desire to raise all taxation to the level of cigarettes.

Just think of the revenue!
It’s government tax percentage beats alcohol and gasoline and everything else.

The Feds take $1.01 right off the top and most of the states have a field day with the rest.

[MichaelCorleone]

The Board of Equalization??

I thought something like that was only in Animal Farm or 1984 or something like that.

[COBOL2Java]

Nancy is not amused!

[Mich Patriot]

Unbelievable! I bet they’ve already calculated their newfound earnings with no regard for how far sales will plummet. Nice going, Comrades.

[fabian]

Sorry, but it is time for a revolt...

[bgill]

Old winos and yuppies hurt the most.

[Vision]

I thought Californians were so happy living there that they should be fine with this.

[Dudoight]

I am laughing out loud! If they keep this up, Texas wineries will definitely leap forward on the horizon.

[G Larry]

Time to find out which Washington State wines are publicly traded!