Just say no to beer tax increases

[Glenn]

I don't get CT and their funky beer laws. Someone once told me: "Well just plan ahead and buy more beer when they're open!" I told them: "Let's just ban the sale of gasoline on Sunday...that's about as logical..."

The argument is from the packie owners themselves. They claim that sales won't increase, but their operating costs will; they'll have to open their stores, pay the help, turn on the lights...ect. I say let the market dictate. If you don't want to open the store, let the guy at the 7-11, who's already open selling highly taxed gasoline and even higher taxed cigs sell the beer. That way, you can remain closed, and I can get my beer.

And speaking of cigs...a carton of Marlboro cigs goes for about $49 in New Hampshire. I think it's $70 something in CT. What a joke.

 

[Paul]

The argument is from the packie owners themselves. They claim that sales won't increase, but their operating costs will; they'll have to open their stores, pay the help, turn on the lights...ect. I say let the market dictate. If you don't want to open the store, let the guy at the 7-11, who's already open selling highly taxed gasoline and even higher taxed cigs sell the beer. That way, you can remain closed, and I can get my beer.

That's the rub right there, they claim it's hard enough competing with supermarkets and convenience stores. however, I don't know too many of those that sell wine and liquor.

 

[ctenidae]

That's the rub right there, they claim it's hard enough competing with supermarkets and convenience stores. however, I don't know too many of those that sell wine and liquor.

Personally, I don't like supermarkets and convenience stores selling beer. I think it negatively impacts teh variety available- if the liquor stores that have shelf space for good beer can't make their nut on cheep beer, they can't devote space to good beer. CT has the worst beer selection of anywhere I've ever seen, except maybe Arkansas.

 

[drjeff]

WTF is up with the 8 pm closing, too? Not being able to hit the beer store on my way home from work sucks.

Personally, I don't like supermarkets and convenience stores selling beer. I think it negatively impacts teh variety available- if the liquor stores that have shelf space for good beer can't make their nut on cheep beer, they can't devote space to good beer. CT has the worst beer selection of anywhere I've ever seen, except maybe Arkansas.

Yup, finding a truely good beer selection in a packie in CT is a challenge, and it's one of things where if you do, you both want to tell your frinds about it for their economic success, but are also a bit leary of doing so for fear that the extra business in the packie will result in them devoting more shelf space to the high volume stuff at the expense of the good stuff. I've seen it happen too many times, and am unfotunately slowly watching the mega brew take-over of a packie that opened with GREAT selection IMHO near my house about 3 years ago Fortunately I have Yankee Spirit's store in Sturbridge maybe 20 min from my office, and in ski season, I drive right by it weekly on my way to/from VT

 

[Johnskiismore]

In Mass can you buy 6-packs at bars?

I'm assuming you mean 'to-go?' In that case no, unless the bar is part of a hotel and the guest is staying overnight, then they can bring it (in some cases the policy will be have it delivered) to their room.

 

[Johnskiismore]

http://beeradvocate.com/news/2088446

Mass is wanting to add another 6.25% (~50 cents/six pack) tax to beer. Just say no!

I'm so glad I moved here! I look at my home state and think, it's nice to visit, wouldn't want to live there though!

 

[mondeo]

I don't get CT and their funky beer laws. Someone once told me: "Well just plan ahead and buy more beer when they're open!" I told them: "Let's just ban the sale of gasoline on Sunday...that's about as logical..."

The argument is from the packie owners themselves. They claim that sales won't increase, but their operating costs will; they'll have to open their stores, pay the help, turn on the lights...ect. I say let the market dictate. If you don't want to open the store, let the guy at the 7-11, who's already open selling highly taxed gasoline and even higher taxed cigs sell the beer. That way, you can remain closed, and I can get my beer.

And speaking of cigs...a carton of Marlboro cigs goes for about $49 in New Hampshire. I think it's $70 something in CT. What a joke.

At least liquor stores can sell beer in CT. In NY you have to go to two seperate stores for that.

Who cares if a few of the packy stores close? You shouldn't need legislation in place to keep a business viable.

 

[HD333]

In Mass can you buy 6-packs at bars?

Not unless you drink it in the bar... no road sodas, at least not legally.

 

[Paul]

At least liquor stores can sell beer in CT. In NY you have to go to two seperate stores for that.

Who cares if a few of the packy stores close? You shouldn't need legislation in place to keep a business viable.

Absolutely.

But Ctenadae's point is a good one:

Personally, I don't like supermarkets and convenience stores selling beer. I think it negatively impacts teh variety available- if the liquor stores that have shelf space for good beer can't make their nut on cheep beer, they can't devote space to good beer. CT has the worst beer selection of anywhere I've ever seen, except maybe Arkansas.

 

[drjeff]

At least liquor stores can sell beer in CT. In NY you have to go to two seperate stores for that.

Who cares if a few of the packy stores close? You shouldn't need legislation in place to keep a business viable.

But atleast in NY, even if you have to goto 2 places, buy booze on that Sunday aftternoon when some friends unexpectedly drop by, or run out at 10PM when that small gathering of friends turns into a much larger event!

I remember very vividly my 1st indoctrination to CT's "blue laws" I had just finished college (went to school in New York State) and was moving into the condo that I was going to be living in with 2 other roomates (both of whom had just graduated college in New York State also) outside of Hartford. Got the keys to the place on a Saturday. We had all finished moving our stuff in about 8PM. Figured we got and and buy some beers and just relax. Get the the local liquor store about 8:15 that Saturday night. Closed, locked up, lights off, WTF!!!

I just say, atleast give the CT "adult beverage" merchants the option to be open 7 days a week until say 10PM. Then if they so choose to be open, becuase it's econmically viable, great.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

And speaking of cigs...a carton of Marlboro cigs goes for about $49 in New Hampshire. I think it's $70 something in CT. What a joke.

Cigarettes should cost that much per pack due to their costs to society,,

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Personally, I don't like supermarkets and convenience stores selling beer. I think it negatively impacts teh variety available- if the liquor stores that have shelf space for good beer can't make their nut on cheep beer, they can't devote space to good beer. CT has the worst beer selection of anywhere I've ever seen, except maybe Arkansas.

Wegmans supermarkets are finally selling beer here in PA..I wish they sold beer at convenience stores here for the convenience of it!!!! Vermonters have it good..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Not unless you drink it in the bar... no road sodas, at least not legally.

In PA, liquor stores and beer distributors were always closed on Sundays until a few years ago so you had to buy beer by the 6-pack or 40 ouncer in Liquor stores and bars to go..at marked up prices..

 

[Glenn]

Cigarettes should cost that much per pack due to their costs to society,,

This is a can of worms with me. There are a lot of things that aren't good for you and that's your decision to make. I'd wager that obese people have a much higher cost on "society" than smokers. Mainly because there are a lot more fat people out there than smokers. Especially when you factor in the kiddies. Taxes that regulate behavior are lame in my book.

 

[ctenidae]

This is a can of worms with me. There are a lot of things that aren't good for you and that's your decision to make. I'd wager that obese people have a much higher cost on "society" than smokers. Mainly because there are a lot more fat people out there than smokers. Especially when you factor in the kiddies. Taxes that regulate behavior are lame in my book.

Smokers die younger, too, and so don't drain Social Security and pension plans. They can run up mad Medicare bills, though...

 

[Glenn]

Smokers die younger, too, and so don't drain Social Security and pension plans. They can run up mad Medicare bills, though...

I could have sworn John Stossel did a bit regarding that on 20/20 years ago. His research indicated they weren't even close to the drain on healthcare that some claim them to be.

YMMV I'm sure.

 

[Mildcat]

In a state where we can't even come close to getting enough people to vote to abolish the state income tax how do you expect to pressure the politicians enough to stop the beer tax. They probably laugh at us everytime they pass a new tax. We whine and moan like little babies but then vote the same a-holes back into office. You can sign your little petitions but the fact is the politicians in this state don't care what you think.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

This is a can of worms with me. There are a lot of things that aren't good for you and that's your decision to make. I'd wager that obese people have a much higher cost on "society" than smokers. Mainly because there are a lot more fat people out there than smokers. Especially when you factor in the kiddies. Taxes that regulate behavior are lame in my book.

I feel like if cigs are legal..weed should be as well..but tax the hell out of it..

 

[ctenidae]

I could have sworn John Stossel did a bit regarding that on 20/20 years ago. His research indicated they weren't even close to the drain on healthcare that some claim them to be.

YMMV I'm sure.

One of the (then) Big 5 accounting firms got into trouble for doing the analysis for Romania or Bulgaria, or somesuch, and then doing it on teh US for funsies. Found that "early" deaths saved a whole boatload of money. Of course, by that logic, they should eliminate seatbelt, helmet, speed limit, and all sorts of other "safety" laws.

 

[Grassi21]

I feel like if cigs are legal..weed should be as well..but tax the hell out of it..

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