Alcohol Industry Runs Oregon

In Oregon, the alcohol industry runs the show, says an editorial in today's Oregonian. The paper points out that the excise tax on alcoholic beverages hasn't been raised in more than 30 years, thanks largely to millions of dollars the industry spends funding and entertaining state lawmakers. As a result, the state has "glaringly inadequate resources to deal with alcohol-related social ills that are largely responsible for filling our emergency rooms, jails and prisons, as well as contributing to the breakup of many families." The editorial supports an alcohol tax increase that would raise much-needed funds for addiction and mental health treatment, prevention, and education. Source.