Alcohol tax will overburden bars

Well, our wonderful Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has finally got what he wanted done: the knife twisted in the heart of the hospitality industry by way of an alcohol tax. It seemed to matter not that the public had already voted this issue down and that many were offended by the mayor demanding his way. This tax demands repealing. This is such an old story about how our leaders in government tell false stories that will support whatever will put money in their coffers that it pains me to retell it.

Way back somewhere around 2002, it was Lisa Murkowski, then a state senator, who convinced the public that a new state liquor tax would be collected to solve most all our alcohol addiction issues, when in fact this tax could not legally be dedicated to that specific purpose. But it was low-hanging fruit and the legislators, knowing the truth, still were gleeful as they looked forward to more money to spend as they wanted. And so it passed and we have been stuck with it all these years, but somehow, no one can actually tell us where the tax money went and how it helped prevent alcohol problems. Now we will have not only a state liquor tax but also a city tax. Will your business be next?

The hospitality industry is the second-largest private employer in the state. We all know someone who works in it, whether a spouse, child, single mom, college student and the list goes on. In many ways, it is the heartbeat of our city. Why hurt it?

These businesses do not do as well as they used to, and now with COVID-19, many will not even reopen their doors. Just when we need more people working, our mayor makes a special effort to stand in the way. He leans back and tells us to just pass the tax on the customer — who does he think this customer is? It is us! The new tax will add to businesses shutting their doors, jobs lost and vacant storefronts. All this comes at a time when we face fewer tourists, low oil prices, and now a punch in our gut as Mayor Berkowitz leans back with a smile on his face as he finally got what he wants.

Frank Dahl is the former owner of Blues Central and a past president of the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association (CHARR).

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