Michigan Food and Beverage Association Toasts signing of liquor tax fairness bill

Oct. 13, 2011 – The Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA), along with its sister association, the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA), commends the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder on the passage and signing of Senate Bill 331, a measure that eliminates a 1.85 percent tax per bottle imposed on the retail sale of liquor for off-premises consumption.

The bill effectively eliminates a more than 30-year tax inequity levied disproportionately between off-premises locations, such as grocery and liquor/variety stores, and on-premises establishments, such as restaurants and bars, which did not pay the tax.

“The passage and signing of Senate Bill 331 represents the end of what many of its proponents believe has been an unfair taxing environment,” said Jennifer Kluge, CEO and president of both associations. “Our organizations have been publicly supportive of the legislation in both the House and Senate chambers.”

Bonnie Bochniak, vice president of government relations for the MBPA and MFBA, added, “Many in the legislature hope that the new savings generated by eliminating the tax will be passed along to consumers, particularly benefitting businesses near Michigan’s borders that compete with neighboring states.”
# # #

Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 160,0000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retail, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive group insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA, www.michfood.org) with more than 3,400 members.

Based in Warren, Mich., the MBPA is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 160,0000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retail, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive group insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA, www.michfood.org) with more than 3,400 members.

27700 Hoover Road 
Warren, Michigan 48093

This release was published on openPR.