LA: Louisiana could raise taxes on alcohol for first time since 1948

KLFY News

By Kellie Brown

February 18, 2016

Louisiana has not raised taxes on alcohol since 1948 but that could soon change as state legislators’ works on the looming budget deficit.

This increase would not only affect alcohol consumers but also small businesses and bars here in Acadiana.

“If we got a raise taxes on just those things it’s a small sacrifice to pay for the students of Louisiana to continue their education.” Said bar patron Jeremy Paul.

If passed, taxes on beer would increase from $10 a barrel to more than $13 a barrel.

For hard liquor, the increase would go from 66 cents per liter to 91 cents.

Taxes for most wines would change from 3 cents per liter to 25 cents per liter.

Bryan Williamson works at Marley’s bar downtown.

Williams says they’ve seen a drop in customers because of the declining oil industry, but he hopes that a small increase won’t do too much damage.

Louisiana needs to find an additional $700 million to $750 million by June 30, to close the budget hole in its 2015-16 financial plan.

Other items that may see tax increases are telephones, cigarettes, and rental cars.