Tax Increases on Beer, Wine, Cider and Spirits Aren’t Needed

PORTLAND, Ore. — Today’s Oregon Economic Forecast showed the state has more revenue than previously predicted while the leisure and hospitality sector continues to struggle to recover from the pandemic.

“Oregon’s breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries, restaurants, bars and hospitality sector are facing major challenges. Between inflation on the cost of ingredients, supply chain issues, employee shortages, natural disasters and a two-year pandemic, these local businesses need the support of lawmakers and the public to survive. The last thing any local business needs are the tax increases,” said the Oregon Beverage Alliance.

According to the economic forecast, the Oregon Revenue Forecast total general fund resources for 2023-2025 increased by $437 million compared to the forecast, largely because of the Corporate Activity Tax paid by businesses including breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries.

Oregon is home to 400 breweries, 1,000 wineries, 1,400 vineyards, 70 cideries, 100 distilleries, 73 distributors and 10,000 restaurants, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and more than $15 billion in economic activity for the state. Alcohol is the third largest source of revenue for the state. With the highest cost increases in generations, tax increases would only make it harder for these local businesses to invest in hiring and expansion.

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About the Oregon Beverage Alliance

The Oregon Beverage Alliance is made up of local brewers, winemakers, cidermakers, distillers and their supply and hospitality partners creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. Learn more: www.DontTaxMyDrink.org