Cash-strapped states consider boosting beer taxes

SJ Mercury News ^ | 4/3/03 | AP - Philadelphia

[NormsRevenge]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - With cash tight and bills looming, legislators around the country are turning to neighborhood pubs to help them drown their woes: At least 19 states are considering plans to boost beer taxes.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell has proposed one of the heftiest hikes, a plan that would raise the tax on a gallon of beer for the first time since 1947, from 8 cents to a quarter. It would add 14 cents to the cost of an average six pack and raise $55 million.

[Temple Owl]

Just wait! Philadelphia Fats Rendell will tax mother's milk.

[vetvetdoug]

Raise them taxes on beer really high up north. Raise them high enough to bring back the bootlegger. McNairy Countians really miss the good old days and there are third and fourth generation bootleggers just looking for a way to bring back the trade.

[Genesis defender]

Raise them taxes on beer really high up north.

If they tried that here in Wisconsin, the entire state would riot.

[budwiesest]

``It seems like every time the state needs money, they come to alcohol or tobacco, and, frankly, it's not fair.''

Taxation without representation. The only 'fair' tax would be a uniform tax on all things.

[MrLeRoy]

(acting like the typical anti smoking nazi) I think they should tax it. I don't drink alcohol so I think nobody else should. But if they want to, it should cost 'em. After all, look what they cost us in health care.

Also sounds the anti-drug Nazis.

[Wolfie]

You think that's bad? The idjits in Ohio want to tax WATER.