EDITORIAL – Will the drink tax

Since its inception, the Allegheny County 10 percent drink tax has been met with much… Since its inception, the Allegheny County 10 percent drink tax has been met with much criticism, to say the least. The Pitt News has stated numerous times that we are vehemently opposed to the tax. It is a wholly illogical way to fund the fiscally irresponsible Port Authority.

The lobbying group, Friends Against Counterproductive Taxation, known as FACT, also shares our disapproval with the drink tax and is pushing to eliminate it.

FACT, made up of a group of restaurateurs and bar owners, has filed suit against the tax, claiming that it is unconstitutional, and it is planning to start a referendum against it if its court challenge fails.

According to the Post-Gazette, Chris Hoel, an attorney for FACT said, “Our hope is that this tax will be eliminated soon. And if it isn’t we have the resources to start a referendum to end this tax in November.”

We wholeheartedly support FACT’s efforts and appreciate the group’s willingness to stand up against the tax. Part of the reason for the widespread public outrage surrounding the drink tax is that people have never had a say when it comes to the issue. A referendum will finally provide Allegheny county residents with an opportunity to voice their opinions.

Initially, the drink tax was proposed and rushed through the county council so fast that lobbying groups like FACT never really had an opportunity to establish a referendum. Had the county council taken into consideration the thoughts of Allegheny county residents, the whole controversy surrounding the drink tax could have been eliminated the first time around.

But it now looks as though things are slowly starting to change, and alternatives to the drink tax are starting to crop up. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said, according to the Post-Gazette, that he would be willing replace the drink tax if he had an alternative and is currently considering other options. One of these options is the possibility of legalizing poker and other gambling machines in bars to generate tax revenue that would allow for the elimination of the drink tax.

While this option also has problems, as it may not be legal and is also not supported by Gov. Ed Rendell, the important thing is that Onorato is acknowledging the public’s widespread disapproval with the tax and is cooperating to eliminate it.

Other alternatives also include the $2-a-day tax on car rentals, which we have repeatedly stated is a much more reasonable response to the drink tax.

The truth is that there are so many other, more rational, solutions to the Port Authority’s financial problems, a truth that is finally being recognized.