Kegler300
09-03-02, 11:51 AM
September 3, 2002
Associated Press
Four of Connecticut's six U.S. representatives have signed on to legislation that would roll back the federal beer tax.
The legislation, which now has more than 220 co-sponsors in the House, would reduce the beer tax from $18 a barrel to $9 a barrel. Congress doubled the excise tax on beer in 1990 as part of a package of luxury taxes that was intended to help pay down the federal deficit.
U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-Pa., is the chief sponsor of the legislation. English said he was surprised to learn that Congress had repealed every tax increase in the 1990 package except for the tax on beer.
"Congress has provided relief for those who purchase mink coats, luxury cars, private airplanes and yachts. Yet, Joe Six-Pack still has to pay a tax on beer," English told the Record-Journal of Meriden.
Beer industry groups estimate beer buyers pay 32 cents in direct federal taxes on every six-pack. Additionally, consumers pay an average of 18 cents in direct state and local taxes.
English said his beer tax bill has bipartisan support.
In Connecticut, Republicans and Democrats have given their support to the tax reduction. Republican Reps. Rob Simmons from the 2nd District and Nancy Johnson from the 6th District are co-sponsors; so are Democrat Reps. Jim Maloney from the 5th and John Larson from the 1st.
"It just strikes me as fundamentally unfair," said Maloney, who prefers a glass of red wine over beer.
Democrat Rep. Rosa DeLauro, from the 3rd District, said she did not sign on to the legislation because of the budget deficit. She said legislation that reduces revenue should be considered only if it also reduces spending in the federal budget.
The beer bill is held up in the Ways and Means Committee, where it has been since March. If nothing happens this fall, English says, he expects that Congress will revisit the beer tax next year.
-30-
My heroes!!
:banana:
Associated Press
Four of Connecticut's six U.S. representatives have signed on to legislation that would roll back the federal beer tax.
The legislation, which now has more than 220 co-sponsors in the House, would reduce the beer tax from $18 a barrel to $9 a barrel. Congress doubled the excise tax on beer in 1990 as part of a package of luxury taxes that was intended to help pay down the federal deficit.
U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-Pa., is the chief sponsor of the legislation. English said he was surprised to learn that Congress had repealed every tax increase in the 1990 package except for the tax on beer.
"Congress has provided relief for those who purchase mink coats, luxury cars, private airplanes and yachts. Yet, Joe Six-Pack still has to pay a tax on beer," English told the Record-Journal of Meriden.
Beer industry groups estimate beer buyers pay 32 cents in direct federal taxes on every six-pack. Additionally, consumers pay an average of 18 cents in direct state and local taxes.
English said his beer tax bill has bipartisan support.
In Connecticut, Republicans and Democrats have given their support to the tax reduction. Republican Reps. Rob Simmons from the 2nd District and Nancy Johnson from the 6th District are co-sponsors; so are Democrat Reps. Jim Maloney from the 5th and John Larson from the 1st.
"It just strikes me as fundamentally unfair," said Maloney, who prefers a glass of red wine over beer.
Democrat Rep. Rosa DeLauro, from the 3rd District, said she did not sign on to the legislation because of the budget deficit. She said legislation that reduces revenue should be considered only if it also reduces spending in the federal budget.
The beer bill is held up in the Ways and Means Committee, where it has been since March. If nothing happens this fall, English says, he expects that Congress will revisit the beer tax next year.
-30-
My heroes!!
:banana: