please voice your support of Wisconsin’s small breweries – no new beer tax!
On Tuesday, October 13th at 10am, there will be a hearing at the State Capitol in Madison regarding Wisconsin Assembly Bill 287. This bill increases the tax on a barrel of beer from $2 to $10. The bill states that the 400% increase in taxes will fund drunk driving law enforcement and alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs. It does not address the effect on the consumer, loss of jobs (at breweries, suppliers, taverns, stores), nor does it justify why punishing the majority is good for the minority.
The language used in presenting this bill is, as Kirby Nelson of Capital Brewery points out, very shaming: “the people trying to make this happen are considering changing this from a “tax” to an “impact fee”. They want to emphasize that it is needed to offset the “harm done by beer”. I find it insulting to imply that the millions upon millions of us who enjoy beer are a menace to society and need to pay more to offset our havoc causing ways. This type of mentality cannot go unchallenged.”
I do not feel that any Wisconsin brewery, retailer or responsible consumer should be subject to increased taxation simply because some consumers act irresponsibly. Increasing the tax on beer will not decrease irresponsible behavior. Instead, increase the penalties on abusers who drive under the influence. Make them pay for their mistakes and use that money to pay for increased law enforcement and treatment programs. And what about another option – funding public transit??
This is important, because Britain added many new taxes to beer – and those taxes have just about killed the traditional English pub.
Contact your Wisconsin representative and express your point of view. Join the rally against WI Assembly Bill 287 outside the capitol, 9:00am, October 13th. Contact your friends and encourage them to express their opinion. Here’s a link from O’so Brewing Co. with email addresses for the Assembly Committee on Public Safety below – just tell them NO new beer taxes!
Representative Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis), Chair
Email: rep.staskunas@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0620
Representative Bob Zigelbauer (D-Manitowoc) Vice-Chair
Email: rep.zigelbauer@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0315
Representative David Cullen (D-Milwaukee)
Email: rep.cullen@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 267-9836
Representative Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire)
Email: rep.smith@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-0660
Representative Terese Berceau (D-Madison)
Email: rep.berceau@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-3784
Representative Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay/Door County)
Rep.bies@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-5350
Representative Al Ott (R-Forest Junction/Upper Fox Valley)
Rep.ott@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-5831



