Beer Commissioner Speaks on Taxes
April 15 is fast approaching, which is a day of dread for many of us. Unless you've been living in a hole for the past 9 months or so, you'd also know the country is in a bit of financial distress. In the past 6 months the government has passed approximately 2 TRILLION dollars in stimulus bills aimed at helping the country get through the current financial crisis. I suppose time will tell if those packages 'help' anyone.
The political geniuses in the Great State of Oregon are taking a completely different approach to this financial mess. Tax incentives to lure in more businesses? A tax credit on 6 inch heels to stimulate the dancing industry? A tax holiday on libations to kickstart the bar industry? No, of course not. The fine people of Oregon are proposing a ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED PERCENT TAX INCREASE on beer. That is 1900% increase on beer. Not on wine, not on liquor, JUST BEER.
What does this mean? This increase amounts to an additional tax of approximately $42.00 per barrel. Since most of us don't buy our beer by the barrel, that figure equates to approximately $4.00 per six pack. So, we are clear, here is what the political geniuses in Oregon are trying to do. The economy is going to hell. Unemployment is at its highest rates since Jimmy Carter was president. People can't find a job, people can't afford to stay in their houses.
Now, hypothetically say your state has a very successful brewery, that makes very good beer, like Rogue. Say that beer already sells for $8.99 a six pack, which is a pretty steep price to pay for beer, which puts that beer on par with most of the German beers on the grocery store shelves (for those of you living outside of Louisiana-I apologize, we can buy beer anywhere, including at the little deputy's day care). Now suppose your state just imposed a 1900% tax increase on your beer. Rogue now sells for $12.99 a six pack.
I'm not a fiscal expert, nor am I an employment expert. I am a beer expert however. And as a beer expert, if given the choice of spending $12.99 on a six pack of one beer or $12.99 on a 12 pack of another beer, I know what I'm taking home. I imagine, given this scenario, Rogue will be selling less beer, at which point will necessitate laying off workers, and could potentially take a very good beer off the market.
I'll try to keep y'all posted on what's going on in Oregon, but, I strongly suggest if you like Rogue beer, start stocking up on it. You may never be able to get it at these prices, ever again.
The political geniuses in the Great State of Oregon are taking a completely different approach to this financial mess. Tax incentives to lure in more businesses? A tax credit on 6 inch heels to stimulate the dancing industry? A tax holiday on libations to kickstart the bar industry? No, of course not. The fine people of Oregon are proposing a ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED PERCENT TAX INCREASE on beer. That is 1900% increase on beer. Not on wine, not on liquor, JUST BEER.
What does this mean? This increase amounts to an additional tax of approximately $42.00 per barrel. Since most of us don't buy our beer by the barrel, that figure equates to approximately $4.00 per six pack. So, we are clear, here is what the political geniuses in Oregon are trying to do. The economy is going to hell. Unemployment is at its highest rates since Jimmy Carter was president. People can't find a job, people can't afford to stay in their houses.
Now, hypothetically say your state has a very successful brewery, that makes very good beer, like Rogue. Say that beer already sells for $8.99 a six pack, which is a pretty steep price to pay for beer, which puts that beer on par with most of the German beers on the grocery store shelves (for those of you living outside of Louisiana-I apologize, we can buy beer anywhere, including at the little deputy's day care). Now suppose your state just imposed a 1900% tax increase on your beer. Rogue now sells for $12.99 a six pack.
I'm not a fiscal expert, nor am I an employment expert. I am a beer expert however. And as a beer expert, if given the choice of spending $12.99 on a six pack of one beer or $12.99 on a 12 pack of another beer, I know what I'm taking home. I imagine, given this scenario, Rogue will be selling less beer, at which point will necessitate laying off workers, and could potentially take a very good beer off the market.
I'll try to keep y'all posted on what's going on in Oregon, but, I strongly suggest if you like Rogue beer, start stocking up on it. You may never be able to get it at these prices, ever again.
Comments