Drink much? Washington state raises liquor tax to 51.9%. (Glacier: home, income)

[secret_squirrel]

You used to be able to go to a tribal liquor store and save on the state taxes. Anyone know if this is still possible?

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by secret_squirrel

You used to be able to go to a tribal liquor store and save on the state taxes. Anyone know if this is still possible?

It used to be against the law to sell liquor to Indians.

Now they have their own liquor stores and sell it at cheaper prices.

No wonder alcoholism is such a problem on the reservations.

[Trouthunter]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

It used to be against the law to sell liquor to Indians.

Now they have their own liquor stores and sell it at cheaper prices.

No wonder alcoholism is such a problem on the reservations.

I'm already seeing the writing on the wall. Indian reservations that are targeted by Big Tobacco will now be targeted by Big Booze companies. Next thing you know there will be an Olympia brewery on reservation lands too. I imagine the Indian reservation casino owners are loving this though.

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by zinger025

More people will just go across the border to Idaho to get liquor in eastern WA. They will just keep shooting themselves in the foot, look how well the tax more strategy worked in California...

Sorry, but you have your facts confused. We have low liquor taxes and sell booze in grocery stores here. Our liquor excise tax is lower than that in Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and a number of other states. California was one of only 27 states to consider raising liquor taxes last year, and ours was going to be 5 cents a drink for drinks in bars and restaurants only. That's hardly noticeable to the average drinker.

[LeybaRE]

No tax on military bases.

[ttz]

Gosh sucks to be an alcoholic! I am a social drinker so it does not affect me much!

But hey they call this the Evergreen state, and it ain't cuz of the green foliage! Gotta have that tax revenue from somewhere, and no better place on items that people "have to have no matter what or the cost" Maybe they should tax broccoli?

[pw72]

Originally Posted by angelbug

Sorry, but you have your facts confused. We have low liquor taxes and sell booze in grocery stores here. Our liquor excise tax is lower than that in Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and a number of other states. California was one of only 27 states to consider raising liquor taxes last year, and ours was going to be 5 cents a drink for drinks in bars and restaurants only. That's hardly noticeable to the average drinker.

OK, I will go along with your story of low liquor taxes, but why does liquor cost more in CA than most western states? (exception, OF COURSE, WA!)

[jtarle]

Hate to disagree but Increasing the tax on liquor will curb drinking for alot of people just like taxing cigarrettes did to stop people from smoking. Really, at 5 dollars a pack who can really afford to smoke. Here's an idea. For those who want to smoke and drink it may be a more efficient to use marihuauna. Takes care of both desires at the same time.

PS Its not difficult to make your own beer or alcohol, which is untaxed.

[trixie09]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Just to play devil's advocate for a moment, raising the liquor tax is unfair because:

The people who buy the most liquor are the people who can least afford to, so tax revenues will be raised on the backs of the poor.

If the idea is to raise tax revenue through liquor, why not allow other stores to sell liquor like so many other states do, and charge them a license fee?

Hmmm.. interesting point. I'd venture to say that if you're that poor, the last thing in the world you should be doing is wasting your money on liquor. And if someone considers liquor as a necessity, then perhaps that would explain why they are poor. Think about it....

[WillynillyTalc]

Easy solution to the whole problem, brew your own beer. Homebrew is better anyway.