Senate Testimony Calls for Dramatic Increases in Alcohol Taxes

Dear Client:Beer, wine, and spirits producers today are casting a nervous eye over testimony yesterday to a Senate Finance Committee round table on how to fund the Obama administration's $1.2 trillion health care initiative. Three of the thirteen academia experts who testified recommended dramatic increases in the federal excise tax on alcohol as part of their plans. CSPI exec director Mike Jacobson recommended that "Congress should raise alcohol excise taxes, tax all products equally on the basis of their alcohol