Sign up to receive email newsletters about the
latest research for the topic areas that
interest you.
Liquid Assets? Industry Raised The Bar to Resist Alcohol Taxes
Publication Date: May 2009
Publisher(s): National Institute on Money in State Politics (U.S.)
Author(s): Peter Quist
Funder(s): Rockefeller Brothers Fund; Sunlight Foundation; Ford Foundation; Open Society Institute; Pew Charitable Trusts
Funder(s): Rockefeller Brothers Fund; Sunlight Foundation; Ford Foundation; Open Society Institute; Pew Charitable Trusts
Topic: Banking and finance (Taxation and tax policy)
Politics (Campaigns, lobbying, and pressure groups)
Type: Report
Abstract:
How are states coping with the budget woes prevalent today? A common solution has been to raise taxes to help cover the shortfalls. Frequently, some of the first taxes to face a potential increase involve so-called "sin taxes." The current recession is proving to be no exception to this trend -- many states around the country are considering plans to raise taxes on alcohol to help balance their budgets. Businesses in the alcohol trade are responding with familiar "old school" tactics, contributing millions of dollars to state political campaigns all over the country.