The 3 things you can do to help fight the beer tax

The Oregon brewing industry is facing a nearly $50 per barrel increase on beer taxes – an increase of over 1900% – which would make the Oregon beer excise tax the highest in the country.

If you oppose this extreme and unfair tax increase, here are 3 simple things you can do to make your voice heard:

1. Write your legislator – This may sound like something you’d hear from your grandmother, but nothing has a stronger impact on legislators than getting a good old-fashioned piece of snail mail. Take a peek at our template letter then customize and send your own version. You can find a copy of the proposed HB 2461 bill here You can find your legislator at here and a list of Revenue committee members at here.

2. Get social – The Oregon Brewers Guild has created several social networking applications devoted to connecting consumers opposed to House Bill 2461. These groups are a vital online community and help spread the word when news and events happen. We’re on Facebook hereand Twitter here. Sign up. Tell your friends.

3. Sign the petition – The Oregon Brewers Guild is collecting signatures for an electronic petition against HB 2461. This might seem self explanatory, but the more signatures we’re able to collect, the bigger the impact on legislators. You can sign it here .

Here is a sample letter that you can send off to your legislator or send out to your e-newsletter or blog. Please feel free to add in your own experience where it talks about how the tax will affect you directly.

Dear Honorable Representative ______________,

Oregon is in the middle of an economic crisis, facing major budget deficits and the potential loss of thousands of family wage jobs. Now, more than ever, the public is looking to our government to provide strategic and smart leadership to address these problems.

The craft brewing industry has been extremely good for Oregon. Oregon breweries directly employ more than 5,200 people at a family wage; 2,300 of those jobs were created in the last 5 years. As Oregonians drink more Oregon made beer, more Oregon jobs are created.

This green, sustainable and entrepreneurial industry – which is built on uniquely Oregon advantages such as agriculture, people, place, tourism and lifestyle – contributes $375 million to the Oregon economy every year. It does this without receiving state tax breaks or subsidies, while continuing to pay tens of millions of dollars in existing taxes.

The tax proposed in House Bill 2461, would devastate what has been an incredible economic success story for the State of Oregon. At this time and in this economy, our state cannot afford to put more people out of work and harm an industry that is serving Oregon – which is exactly what this tax increase will do.

Sincerely,