Spectator editorial: It's tax time
Proposal could increase
Spectator staff
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Editorial/Opinion
Wisconsin is best known for two things - cheese and beer.
According to an April 30 Associated Press article, Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison) has proposed an increase to the Wisconsin beer tax. The tax has been at 0.6 cents for 40 years, and under a proposal backed by police, health workers and others, the new tax would be five times higher.
According to the article the tax would increase to 3 cents per bottle, which would raise about $58 million dollars in state revenue. The money would be used for programs to reduce alcohol-related crimes by hiring more police, fund drug and alcohol abuse treatment services, as well as paying for substance abuse prevention programs.
It's good to consider raising the tax, seeing as it hasn't been raised in a long time. It is a good way for the government to raise more money, as long as the money goes towards the drinking-related prevention programs.
According to the article, right now Wisconsin has the third-lowest beer tax in the nation. Even with the tax increase, Wisconsin's beer would be cheaper than other states.
Opponents say the tax increase will not only hurt bars, but it will also harm smaller breweries.
According to the article, Gov. Jim Doyle remains opposed to the increase. Previously, Doyle said the government needs money, and with other increasing taxes and program cuts, increasing the beer tax should not be as dramatic.
This is not an alarming raise because even if the tax is increased, it won't stop people from drinking. Bars can come up with other specials to still make a profit, and customers might not even notice the increase. After all, beer consumption has been a constant revenue source in Wisconsin; if there is a decrease on consumption, it won't be big.
Increasing the tax on beer is a viable option that Doyle should support. This will help state revenue and is a better option than increasing sales taxes on other consumer goods that are a daily necessity. The tax might as well increase now while taxes are being raised other things.
According to an April 30 Associated Press article, Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison) has proposed an increase to the Wisconsin beer tax. The tax has been at 0.6 cents for 40 years, and under a proposal backed by police, health workers and others, the new tax would be five times higher.
According to the article the tax would increase to 3 cents per bottle, which would raise about $58 million dollars in state revenue. The money would be used for programs to reduce alcohol-related crimes by hiring more police, fund drug and alcohol abuse treatment services, as well as paying for substance abuse prevention programs.
It's good to consider raising the tax, seeing as it hasn't been raised in a long time. It is a good way for the government to raise more money, as long as the money goes towards the drinking-related prevention programs.
According to the article, right now Wisconsin has the third-lowest beer tax in the nation. Even with the tax increase, Wisconsin's beer would be cheaper than other states.
Opponents say the tax increase will not only hurt bars, but it will also harm smaller breweries.
According to the article, Gov. Jim Doyle remains opposed to the increase. Previously, Doyle said the government needs money, and with other increasing taxes and program cuts, increasing the beer tax should not be as dramatic.
This is not an alarming raise because even if the tax is increased, it won't stop people from drinking. Bars can come up with other specials to still make a profit, and customers might not even notice the increase. After all, beer consumption has been a constant revenue source in Wisconsin; if there is a decrease on consumption, it won't be big.
Increasing the tax on beer is a viable option that Doyle should support. This will help state revenue and is a better option than increasing sales taxes on other consumer goods that are a daily necessity. The tax might as well increase now while taxes are being raised other things.
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ShareYourVoice
posted 5/04/09 @ 9:49 AM CST
HAVE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Taking action is easy and won't take much of your time, but it will make a giant difference: CLICK THE LINK http://www. (Continued…)
ShareYourVoice
ShareYourVoice
posted 5/04/09 @ 9:51 AM CST
HAVE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Taking action is easy and won't take much of your time, but it will make a giant difference: CLICK THE LINK http://www. (Continued…)
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