Alcohol is not a necessity and does not deserve a special tax exemption. The only goods in Massachusetts exempt from the sales tax are necessities like food, clothing, and prescriptions. If anything should be taxed, products like cigarettes and alcohol should be.
Revenues from the alcohol tax provide dedicated funding for healthcare services for more than 100,000 residents with behavioral health problems. Massachusetts has some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the country – the last thing we need is to take money away from prevention and treatment services to make alcohol more accessible. The alcohol tax literally saves lives by reducing teen drinking and funding treatment services to help people beat addictions and getting their lives back on track.
Nearly every other state has a sales tax on alcohol. With Massachusetts facing a serious budget deficit, don’t give alcohol a special exemption.
BEER DRINKERS of the Commonwealth, revolt!
Revolt against the injustice Governor Patrick is visiting upon us.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages . . .
That’s a line from the Declaration of Independence — and what the governor has done is even worse. For a year now, we lager lovers have borne an insufferable tax burden on our broad bellies. As I understand it, that same tax has decimated the state’s liquor industry. Why, these days, there’s hardly a place hereabouts where a fellow can pick up a six-pack. Meanwhile, rumor has it that tens of thousands of parched Bay Staters stream across the New Hampshire border each day to buy their beer, wine, and spirits.
The coalition opposing Question 1, which would repeal last summer’s application of the sales tax to retail alcohol sales, has signed up a pair of major new members. The AFL-CIO of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Hospital Association have agreed to fight the initiative petition, according to an official aligned with the Vote No on Question 1 Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax. The coalition resisting the proposal has 140 members. Package store owners are leading the charge to repeal the tax. Tax supporters say the levy provides fund that are critical to alcohol and substance abuse treatment efforts; critics charge the new tax was layered upon on other alcohol taxes and has driven up prices during a recession.
Maryanne Frangules, Bob Herne, and Rocco Antonelli Jr. at the 6th Annual New England Motorcycle Ride for Recovery
Over 200 people including Senator Sal Didomenico and Representative Denise Provost showed up on Saturday, August 21st, to support the No on Question One campaign. Riders and families celebrated recovery month with a picnic, face painting, a trout fishing contest, and an escorted motorcycle ride. Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success!
August 20, 2010
The prescription drug monitoring law signed today by Governor Patrick provides important protections for thousands of individuals with substance use disorders in Massachusetts. But it is just one of many tools that are needed to assure we have adequate services for people who struggle with addiction.
Unfortunately, Question 1 on the November ballot would eliminate all state funding for substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services. Every penny of the alcohol sales tax goes to a dedicated fund to provide these important services for more than 100,000 individuals in Massachusetts.
The prospect of handing a huge special tax break to the liquor industry on Election Day should give pause to everyone who values the great strides Massachusetts has made in addressing addiction problems. We urge people to Vote No on Question 1.
The Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax today announced endorsements from a broad group of unions, employee assistance programs and civic associations — the first major list of endorsements for the ballot question campaign.
The following organizations have endorsed the campaign and will work to help defeat repeal of the alcohol tax on November 2:
The Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax invites you to join us for an event featuring comedians Steve Sweeney, John Pizzi and Lenny Clarke.
September 23, 2010 at Florian Hall. 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
$20 Donation.
Please mail and make checks payable to:
Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax
c/o ABH, Inc
251 W. Central Street, Natick, MA 01760
For more information call Ellen Caliendo at 508-380-9887
Hundreds Gather at State House to Kick Off Ballot Question Race
Campaign season started early this year as the “Vote No on Question 1: No Special Tax Breaks for Alcohol” campaign got under way today with a press conference and rally for hundreds of supporters in front of the State House in Boston. Faced with deep-pocketed opposition from package store owners and the liquor industry, the Committee Against Repeal of the Alcohol Tax, a coalition of more than 130 public health providers and advocates, said they need to get the word out early this year.
Watch some of the video from the Vote No On 1 Campaign launch at the State House. Speakers include Sen. Tolman, Rep. Malia, Rep. O’Day, Zack DeSilva, Vic DiGravio, Maryanne Frangules, Dr. Levy, Bob Monahan, and Elizabeth Rodrigues.
For more of the videos, visit our YouTube site and watch the rest of the videos. more »
THE MASSACHUSETTS sales tax on alcohol is less than a year old, but already liquor retailers and distributors want to strangle it in its crib. A proposed ballot question to repeal the 6.25 percent tax on liquor — or to restore liquor’s historic exemption from the tax, depending on how you look at it — would make the state poorer, and not just in terms of tax revenues. more »
