Posted on 11/14/2007 8:18:04 PM PST by pissant
LITTLE ROCK - A House panel endorsed a bill Wednesday that would make permanent a beer tax that supports early childhood education programs.
The tax raises about $9 million a year for the Arkansas Better Chance Program, a preschool program for disadvantaged children.
House Bill 1601 by Rep. Ken Cowling, D-Foreman, was recommended by voice vote and now goes to the House.
Opponents of the bill said the tax on beer should be allowed to sunset because it is unfair and targets one industry.
During discussion Wednesday, attorney Pat Moran of Rogers, spoke against the bill, saying the brewing industry agreed not to fight the tax in 2001 because the state was struggling for revenues and lawmakers were looking for a way to fund the preschool program.
Moran also said that the Legislature earlier this session voted to repeal a 3 percent income tax surcharge after promising to do so during the 2003 session, so they should keep their promise again and let the beer tax sunset.
The original measure called for the tax to end on June 30, 2003. Lawmakers during the 2003 session voted to extend the tax through the end of the current fiscal year.
Moran suggested Wednesday the state use revenues from the general budget to support the preschool program.
He said he was speaking on behalf of several brewing companies, the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association, Producers Rice Co-op, Arkansas Grocers Association, Beer Wholesalers Association, Arkansas Hospitality Association and Riceland Foods.
Rep. Rick Saunders, D-Hot Springs, said he supported the preschool programs, but said the tax needed to end because that was promised in 2001.
"All these industries and all these people understood this tax to sunset," Saunders said. "A deal is a deal."
Cowling said the state's budget this year is tight and noted that Gov. Mike Huckabee had included the beer tax in his budget recommendations.
Richard Hutchinson with the Arkansas Education Association urged lawmakers to keep the tax.
Also Wednesday, the committee began discussion on HB 1852 by Rep. Doug Matayo, R-Springdale, which would make it a criminal offense for allowing violent video games to be displayed in stores.
The bill requires that all games rated "M" for mature audiences by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, be kept behind the counter at stores. Violation of the law would be punishable by up to a $1,000 fine.
Matayo said he filed the bill after the 10-year daughter of a constituent watched another boy playing a violent video game at a store recently.
Marie Sylla, with the Interactive Entertainment Merchant's Association in Wilton, Conn., told the committee she didn't think legislative action was needed. She said her organization was working to develop rules regarding placement of video games in stores.
No vote was taken on the measure and it is to be discussed again at today's committee meeting, which starts at noon.
No problem.
Proposing taxes on the internet and beer? Man, talk about being out of touch with the electorate.
That’s because you da man. At least somebody out there is listening :-)
I’m sure there are enough worthy causes out there to bleed the entire middle class dry. Then the former middle class would become a worthy cause too!
i think that if they are going to tax beer then the proceeds should go towards helping alcoholics and their families and with healthcare for alcoholics. This is what they said they were going to raise taxes on cigarettes for.
after all, they got into trouble drinking the stuff right?
Thankfully Homebrewing supplies are considered food and are not subject to such a tax.
I assume anyway, this IS government after all.
LOL
Cheers,
Knewshound
Well said.
This fascist tool makes me want to puke. I won’t ever vote for the bastard. I don’t care who the ‘Rat nominee is. Even Rudy would be better than this POS.
Tax beer - it’s the traditional working class beverage. They’d never think of taxing wine.
Nursing Home Bed Tax, 2001
??????????!!!!!!!!!!!
...a 70% yearly tax on the gross worth of all politicians- It would be "fo' duh chillun's".
Now that's a plan I could live with! Gross worth would include all the kick backs, payoffs and lobbyist freebees.
Another ridiculous ‘sin’ tax. BTW, long time no see.
The Huckster signed a bill while governor of Arkansas raising a $5.25 per day bed-tax on private nursing home patients in 2001 (Arkansas New Bureau 03/01/01).
I’ve cut back on my computer time. My eyeball was almost healed when it fell apart again - another detached retina. It’s back to almost 3/4 usable, but it’s still interfering with close vision.
By the way, being a “sinner” I hate “sin taxes”. I like beer.
What’s with that guy?
He’s not what he claims to be (conservative). He’s a pro-life, 2nd amendment liberal.
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