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Pour tax
First, I apologize for neglecting this blog for the last few weeks. Also, I apologize for going a week without approving comments. I've been busy playing around with the new flip cams JRC gave us. And, I've been even busier trying to figure out how to edit the videos we shoot with the cams.
Anyway, the hot issue in West Chester this past week has been the so-called "pour tax." Borough council has asked State Sen. Andy Dinniman to craft legislation that would allow the borough to assess a 5 percent tax on all alcoholic drinks sold in the borough. The tax would raise revenue to help fight alcohol-related crimes and nuisances.
As expected, residents like this idea, and restaurants don't.
The question is, will the pour tax chase away drinkers and restaurant owners? (Borough council has recommended a tax of 5 percent, or a quarter on a $5 beer.)
Some argue that West Chester is a "destination town." People come to West Chester to dine and drink because it has a unique atmosphere - going out in West Chester is different from going out in, say, West Whiteland Township.
Others argue that diners, drinkers and restaurant owners care about price, not location. If the the beer is cheaper on Route 100, that's where the customers will go. West Chester is not enough of a "destination town" to trump price.
Now, only restaurant owners, and a certain prominent landlord, have said that WC is not enough a destination town to overcome a slight increase in drink prices. And I'm not sure they're being sincere. I have no convictions regarding the "pour tax," but I know I'd rather drink a beer in West Chester than in West Whiteland.
Here's the video I did on the pour tax. As you can see, the going is still a little rough. The day I edited this video, I couldn't figure out how to put transitions between the cuts.
Anyway, the hot issue in West Chester this past week has been the so-called "pour tax." Borough council has asked State Sen. Andy Dinniman to craft legislation that would allow the borough to assess a 5 percent tax on all alcoholic drinks sold in the borough. The tax would raise revenue to help fight alcohol-related crimes and nuisances.
As expected, residents like this idea, and restaurants don't.
The question is, will the pour tax chase away drinkers and restaurant owners? (Borough council has recommended a tax of 5 percent, or a quarter on a $5 beer.)
Some argue that West Chester is a "destination town." People come to West Chester to dine and drink because it has a unique atmosphere - going out in West Chester is different from going out in, say, West Whiteland Township.
Others argue that diners, drinkers and restaurant owners care about price, not location. If the the beer is cheaper on Route 100, that's where the customers will go. West Chester is not enough of a "destination town" to trump price.
Now, only restaurant owners, and a certain prominent landlord, have said that WC is not enough a destination town to overcome a slight increase in drink prices. And I'm not sure they're being sincere. I have no convictions regarding the "pour tax," but I know I'd rather drink a beer in West Chester than in West Whiteland.
Here's the video I did on the pour tax. As you can see, the going is still a little rough. The day I edited this video, I couldn't figure out how to put transitions between the cuts.
Labels: pour tax, West Chester Borough
posted by Dan Kristie at
11:02 AM
4 Comments:
We have just discovered a new Italian Restaurant - it is on the high side - but our Monthly Night Out is worth it. 5% on Booz?? A glass of beer $3.50 plu 5%??? Sounds like one way of cutting down on the fluids, or maybe the tip.
Well, is West Chester a destination town or isn't? Get your story straight Mr. Developer. The residents were told that hotel(s) would succeed in the borough because it is a destination-type town. BID, developers, restaurant owners and all other tangental cronies should all be on the same page. Otherwise you look like a bunch of hack amateurs trying to rationalize a lame business plan.
I think a consumption tax is where it's at. It's then the consumer's choice and I don't think it'll deter these students from drinking in West Chester.
If a consumption tax was put on any habit-good or usually bad- we pay for it.
A tax is a tax no matter the reason
There already exist laws that , if enforced , wold drastically curtail the "bogus " reason for the tax
It is illegal to serve visibly intoxicated patrons ,creating public disturbance , false ID, many more .
But enforcing these wouldn't raise revenue- the real reason for a "pour tax"
It would upset the owners , decrease income for the bars and cause the "meter Nazi" syndrom to enter the night life
But it is the responsibility of the borough to enforce existing laws and do more to solve the problem than taxing it and doing nothing
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