Supporters of an increase in the beer tax are frustrated by some high-level opposition. Paul Jenkins of Mequon recalled a meeting with state Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, during which Decker said there was “no way in hell” he’d increase the tax on beer.
Jenkins, whose pregnant stepdaughter and HER ten year old child were killed by a drunk driver a year-and-a-half ago, believes “any tax that hasn’t been raised in forty years needs to be looked at.”
A coalition led by UW Health is pushing for the tax increase, which Kathy Poi of the Wisconsin Nurses Association maintains will target problem drinkers.
An Assembly committee on Tuesday held a public hearing on the legislation from Madison Democrat, state Representative Terese Berceau. The state’s tax on beer has not been increased since 1969.
WIBA’s John Colbert submitted this report
