MN House committee to consider liquor taxes - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) -- Consumers may be paying more for their beer or wine if a bill in the legislature is passed through. It would increase the tax on liquor to make a fund for alcohol health education.

On average, the price of beer per glass will increase three cents, wine will increase nine cents and other liquor will increase 10 cents.

The bill still has to make it through committee, but if it does pass through and the House and Senate approve it, a special alcohol health and judicial impact fund will be created from the revenues.

Alcohol distributors like Ari Kolas with Apollo Liquor says that it feels like the legislature may be just piling on the industry.

"Fifty percent of everything we sell is already taxed, and education for beer, liquor and wine and enjoyment is important, but I think there are already so many good resources out there from within the industry itself, from us to the school systems to the general public. I think it's just a little bit added on."

The bill was read through during the Tax Committee meeting Wednesday with several members of both parties offering support, but Governor Mark Dayton's proposed budget does not include a liquor tax increase.