Malt Beverage Tax Increase being considered by Senate!

I just got an Action Alert from the Vermont Grocers' Association that I thought you should all read. According to the VGA's Legislative Report for 4/17, the Senate is considering raising taxes on soda, candy, water, beer, wine and liquor. Their immediate concern is over a huge tax hike on "Flavored Malt Beverages." You can read the Action Alert below. Please consider calling or emailing the Senators ASAP.

Thanks!
Jeff

Large Flavored Malt Beverage Tax Hike under Consideration by Senate Senate Finance Committee considering Malt and Liquor Taxes Calls & emails from retailers needed now!

Late Friday afternoon, the Senate Finance Committee asked their legislative council to draft a new tax bill that is expected to include increases in the state's liquor taxes and a dramatic increase in the excise tax on flavored malt beverages. FMB's include malt beverage products such as Mike's Hard Lemonade, Twisted Tea, Smirnoff Ice, etc. All malt beverages in Vermont under 6% alcohol (including FMB's) have an excise tax of 26 cents per gallon and a sales tax at retail (added two years ago). Malt beverages over 6% (specialty beers) and wine have an excise tax of 55 cents per gallon plus a retail sales tax. Senate Finance Chair, Senator Ann Cummings, recommended that the tax bill be drafted this weekend with the FMB tax as high as possible, possibly over $5.00 per gallon, a whopping 1900% tax increase. An increase of this magnitude on what is already a higher priced malt beverage will likely price them out of reach and force them off store shelves. The committee is returning Monday morning at 9:30 to resume their review of the tax bill. They may also consider other taxes, such as a new beverage tax depending on the juice content, tax on bottled water and a tax on snack food. It is very important to contact your state senator(s) and members of the Finance Committee ASAP and urge them to oppose new beer or FMB taxes on Monday. Senate Finance Committee Senator Ann Cummings, Chair, Washington County, acummings@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 223-6043 Senator Claire Ayer, Vice Chair, Addison County, cayer@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 545-2142 Senator Bill Carris, Rutland County, bcarris@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 438-5391 Senator Robert Hartwell, Bennington County, rhartwell@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 362-5757 Senator Mark MacDonald, Orange County, mmacdonald@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 433-5867 Senator Hull Maynard, Rutland County, Hull@sover.net, (802) 773-3000 Senator Dick McCormack, Windsor County, rmccormack@leg.state.vt.us, (802) 234-5497 A full list of state senators can be found at: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/lms/legdir/districts.asp?Body=S Faxes can be sent to 802-828-2424 (must be addressed to a specific legislator). Messages can be taken at the Sergeant of Arms office M-F at 1-800-322-5616