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Deeken wants vote on alcohol tax increase

January 31, 2005
By: Jeana Bruce
State Capital Bureau

JEFFERSON CITY Beer, wine and liquor drinkers may soon have to start digging deeper into their pockets.

Rep. Bill Deeken (R-Jefferson City) has introduced legislation that, if passed, would schedule a public vote on increasing the taxes attached to intoxicating beverages.

Gov. Matt Blunt ran on a platform of no new taxes but fellow Republican Deeken has expressed reluctance in defining the bill as a tax, saying a tax applies to everyone.

"I'm not asking the General Assembly, the members, to pass a tax," Deeken said. "All I am asking is to give me permission to put it to a vote of the people."

Deeken said that the tax would only apply to a portion of the public, alcohol drinkers.

"If you drink you pay, if you don't drink, you don't pay," Deeken said.

Deeken said he expected opposition from Anheuser-Busch, but had yet to receive word from the liquor or wine industry.

"The vast majority of beer drinkers enjoy our products responsibly and in moderation," said Rod Forth, an Anheuser-Busch region vice president, in a written statement. "They don't impose additional costs on society or on government and they don't deserve to be singled out to pay higher taxes to fund additional government spending, however worthy the goals of such spending programs may be."

Extra revenue from the tax would go to a fund aimed at reducing alcohol use by young people.

"This money will not go to general revenue," Deeken said. "It will be used specifically for alcohol and drug abuse."

Alicia Ozenberger, Project Director for Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance explained the bill has been adopted as a top priority for the agency.

"We want to educate as many citizens as we can about what we feel is a positive bill," said Ozenberger.

Deeken believes the extra cost incurred will be worthwhile and efficient.

"We are not trying to break the bank, we are just trying to take care of people that need help," Deeken said.

Currently, at six cents per gallon, Missouri has the second lowest rate for beer taxation. The alcohol tax has not been raised since 1970.