After the California legislature soundly rejected a nickel-per-drink alcohol tax increase last year and the Assembly Health Committee twice voted down a dime-per-drink tax hike “fee,” you would think that the anti-alcohol legislators introducing these proposals would get the message. Not so for Assemblyman Jim Beall (D-San Jose).
Despite his best efforts – and coordination with the notoriously anti-alcohol Marin Institute – Beall’s 10-cents-per-drink tax increase “fee,” failed for a second time in committee yesterday. But, the eager Assemblyman says he’ll be back soon with another tax hike proposal:
“I’m going to wipe it off and come back in a few weeks with something different.”
Not only is right now a terrible time to raise taxes as Americans struggle with financial concerns and unemployment, but alcohol tax increases always hurt businesses, negatively impact the poorest among us, and kill jobs in the hospitality industry.
The hospitality industry isn’t alone in opposition toward the alcohol “fee.” Check out this video we came across of some pretty angry college students confronting Beall:
Our advice to Beall: Realize that California doesn’t want an alcohol “fee,” tax increase, or whatever else you call it. Don’t come back in a few weeks with the something cut from the same cloth.
