Idaho House panel could vote Wed. on beer tax hike

  An Idaho House committee plans to listen to six more people speak on the proposed beer-and-wine tax hike before making a decision, possibly by Wednesday.

Testimony continued Tuesday on the issue that's ignited passions of the beverage industry - and proponents of using the $19 million in proceeds for substance abuse treatment.

The plan would boost the wine tax to $1.56 a gallon from 45 cents, and the beer tax to 52 cents a gallon from 15 cents.

Beer sales in Idaho fell less than a percent in the first seven months since July 1, something beer industry lobbyist Bill Roden says shows the alcoholic-beverage industry isn't recession-proof.

Meanwhile, advocates said they'd pay a few pennies more a glass for a good cause.

A drug-treatment counselor told the House Revenue and Taxation Committee "beer drinking is a privilege, not a right."