Letters to the Editor

Letter: Drink a little, pay a lot

In response to Heather Flynn’s letter to the editor about the proposed alcohol tax, I believe Ms. Flynn is sadly misinformed. First of all, Alaska tax rates on spirits are the 7th highest of any state as of 2017, and taxes on wine and beer are the 2nd highest in the nation. Only places like Washington and Oregon seemed to be higher for spirits.

If Anchorage voters think that increasing taxes for the homeless is going to help, just take a trip to Seattle and Portland. Those two cities have been overrun with homeless. If Mayor Berkowitz is successful in April to pass this tax, all we are going to do is increase the existing entitlement programs in the Anchorage bowl. Stand back and watch; I’m convinced it will only draw more homeless to this city.

Let’s not forget that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, just a few years ago, convinced the public that the “10 cents a drink” tax would be in the best interest of the unfortunates. How well did that work? I’m sorry, but today in Anchorage if you drink a little, you pay a lot.

— Michael Krupa

Anchorage

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