Who's interested in paying more for beer? Nobody...right? Well unfortunatley some of your elected officials in the Unicameral have proposed just that! And not just a small tax increase. LB314 includes a 345% increase in the state excise tax rate, from $0.31 to $1.38 per gallon. At that rate Nebraska would have the highest excise tax in the country by a large margin. The average state excise tax is $0.28 per gallon and the federal excise rate is $0.11 per gallon.

Unfortunatley this tax is not something a lot of the local breweries you have come to know and love would be able to absorb, or find ways to cut costs enough to offset the tax increase. Craft brewing has grown a lot in the last 5 years and is only going to continue to grow. If this legislation passes it will sure crush the growing craft industry and deter future and potienal business and growth in the city and state.

Unfortunately, another bill with the beer excise tax increase language has been offered. LB497 contains the same 345% beer excise tax increase. Please sign this petition and share.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Legalize gambling. The legalization of gambling will create more jobs and more income for the state than this tax could ever provide. A report created for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission said Nebraska residents spent $327 million at Iowa casinos in 2013.

The passing of this bill will cause individuals to lose their jobs and owners to sell their dream businesses. Please sign this petition and share.

Please contact your Senator and let them know your thoughts on LB314. You can find your State Senator here https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php