'It'll Cripple Our Industry': Bar Owner On Proposed Alcohol Tax
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota lawmakers got an earful from angry bar and restaurant owners Wednesday about a plan to significantly raise the state's alcohol taxes.
The wholesale tax on alcohol would work out to a 3-cents-a glass tax hike on beer and a 9-cents-a-glass tax hike on wine. And for hard liquor, a 10-cents-a-glass tax hike.
Tim Mahoney, the owner of the Loon Cafe in Minneapolis, said the tax would drive some business owners out of business.
"It'll cripple our industry. Cripple it! And then, on top of it, and you're sitting here talking about a minimum wage increase and all that that will go with it -- that's a double whammy," he said.
If it is passed, the added money from the liquor tax would be used to pay for alcohol treatment programs and drug courts.
