News & Information
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Matt Groen |
| November 8, 2005 |
517/377-3931 |
Michigan Restaurant Association to fight increase in liquor license fees
LANSING, MI – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA), the voice of Michigan’s food and beverage service industry, today announced that the 4,500 member organization would fight efforts to double liquor license fees.
Speaker of the House Craig DeRoche, Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, and Governor Jennifer Granholm announced today that they had reached an agreement on SBT reform, which includes an effort to raise $13 million by doubling the fees on liquor licensees.
What follows is a statement by MRA executive director Rob Gifford:
“We remain opposed to any efforts to double liquor license fees in an attempt to help pay for SBT cuts. In the past, we have supported tax cut plans that have provided relief for all SBT taxpayers, instead of plans that provide tax cuts for one industry while shifting the burden of paying for the cut onto another industry. Doubling liquor license fees may wipe out any benefit to restaurants that are SBT ratepayers currently, and would specifically hurt smaller, independent restaurants that do not pay the SBT. We believe today’s agreement to increase liquor license fees would be yet another blow to the state’s already beleaguered restaurant industry.”
Founded in 1921, the Michigan Restaurant Association represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The foodservice industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 436,000 people and creating more than $11.3 billion in total annual sales. For more information, call (517) 482-5244.
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