Press Room
Press Releases
Restaurant Trade Association Urges Cook County to Reject Job Killing Alcohol Tax Hike
American Beverage Institute Says Hospitality Industry Already Pays Its Fair ShareOctober 26, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today the American Beverage Institute (ABI), which represents over 185 restaurants in Illinois, denounced Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposal to hike alcohol taxes. Under the budget proposal, the tax on beer and wine would rise by 50 percent and the tax on liquor would rise by 25 percent.
Restaurant Trade Association Urges Governor O’Malley to Veto Job-Killing Drink Tax
April 12, 2011Last night, the Maryland General Assembly voted to increase the sales tax on alcohol by 3 percent. Today, the American Beverage Institute, a restaurant trade association representing over 130 Maryland restaurants, announced its disappointment with this decision. The following statement may be attributed to Sarah Longwell, Managing Director of the American Beverage Institute:
Restaurant Group Ads: Marylanders Should Be Steamed at Drink Tax Hike Proposal
Full-Page Ads in Balt Sun and Annapolis Capital Call on Residents to Take Action to Defeat Alc TaxMarch 30, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, the American Beverage Institute (ABI), which represents over 130 Maryland restaurants, ran full-page advertisements in the Baltimore Sun and Annapolis Capital encouraging Marylanders to contact their legislators and demand that they reject the alcohol tax increase currently being considered by the General Assembly.
In the News
Ad Warning: Booze Tax May Cost Chicago Olympics
NBC ChicagoMay 26, 2009
A beverage trade organization is urging Gov. Pat Quinn to veto an alcohol tax increase currently awaiting his signature, suggesting that the tax hike could jeopardize Chicago's chance of hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Restaurant group decries Ill. liquor tax hike
Chicago TribuneMay 23, 2009
An association representing 300 Illinois restaurants is urging Gov. Pat Quinn to reject a liquor tax increase to pay for statewide construction.
Wisconsin State Journal covers ABI opposition to Beer Tax
Wisconsin State JournalMay 4, 2009
Wisconsin’s beer tax, flat for four decades, would be five times higher under a proposed bill.
Letters to the Editor & Op-Eds
WHO’s plan would punish responsible drinkers
By Sarah LongwellBuffalo News
June 9, 2010
The World Health Organization has set its sights on your pint glass. It has decided that alcohol belongs alongside AIDS and influenza as a critical global medical issue, and that combating alcohol abuse requires harsh new restrictions on even the most moderate of drinkers.
Alcohol tax hike unfair
Chicago Sun TimesMay 27, 2009
The Illinois Legislature would be wrong to raise taxes on alcohol ["More state tax on beer, wine, liquor?" May 16]. Increasing alcohol taxes costs jobs and disproportionally hurts those who are least able to pay them.
Raising alcohol tax simply punishes consumers already hurting
By Sarah LongwellThe Charlotte Observer
April 27, 2009
From Sarah Longwell, managing director of the American Beverage Institute in Washington, D.C., an association representing restaurants including more than 280 in North Carolina.
