Details of the proposed beer tax are described in a Senate Finance Committee document distributed to lawmakers in advance of a closed-door meeting 05/09. Senators are focusing on how to pay for expanding health insurance for an estimated 50 million uninsured Americans, a cost that could range to some $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
Under the proposal, beer taxes would go up by 48 cents a six-pack, from the current 33 cents. Wine taxes would rise by 49 cents per bottle, from the current 21 cents. And the tax on hard liquor would increase by 40 cents per fifth, from the current $2.14. Percentage-wise, wine drinkers would take the biggest hit, a 233 percent tax increase per bottle.
Hard liquor would see the smallest proportional increase, 19 percent per fifth. The beer tax would rise by 145 percent per six-pack.
Proponents of the idea say it would equalize the tax treatment of alcoholic drinks, by charging the same tax rate based on alcohol content.
All i have to say is that this is an outrage! Why should the hardworking, tax paying, INSURED, population take a hit for the well deserved leisure that everyone enjoys responsibly?!? There has to be another way or a more reasonable tax proposal. All opposed to this tax increase please sign and comment - thanks
