Opinion ID: 1345598
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: increases beer, wine taxes, liquor prices; funds chemical dependency programs [7]

Text: Neither the Question in the Attorney General's ballot title nor the Question in petitioner's proposed ballot title are in substantial compliance with the requirement that the Question plainly phrase[] the chief purpose of the measure   . ORS 250.035(1)(b); ORS 250.085(4). As we observed in our discussion of the Caption, liquor taxes will not be increased if the measure becomes law; rather, an increase in the retail price of liquor will result. Additionally, the ballot title's Question is silent on the measure's tax increase on wine. [8] The reference in petitioner's Question to the state General Fund is improper. The reduction in state General Fund revenues would be a fiscal consequence of the measure's passage, not its chief purpose. Based on the foregoing discussion, we modify the Caption, the Question, and the Summary in the Attorney General's ballot title and certify the following ballot title to the Secretary of State: INCREASES BEER, WINE TAXES, LIQUOR PRICES; FUNDS CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY PROGRAMS QUESTION: Shall beer and wine taxes and liquor prices be increased and dedicated to fund state and county chemical dependency programs? [SUMMARY]: Increases beer tax from $2.60 to $6.60 per barrel, wine tax from 67¢ to 92¢ per gallon, fortified wine from 77¢ to $1.02 per gallon. Annual inflation tax increases. Increases retail liquor prices, must be at least 115% over wholesale costs, including commission costs. Taxes, sale revenues dedicated to chemical dependency programs. $25 million biennially to build $250 million Alcoholism and Drug Service Trust Fund. Remainder plus trust fund interest goes to alcoholism, drug fund. Fund distributes: 60% state, 40% counties. Reduces General Fund revenues. Ballot title certified as modified. Pursuant to ORAP 11.30(10) and notwithstanding ORAP 9.25(1), this certified ballot title will become effective when the appellate judgment issues. The State Court Administrator shall issue the appellate judgment 10 days from the date of this decision, unless a petition for reconsideration is both filed with and physically received by the Office of the State Court Administrator within seven days of the date of this decision. A timely petition for reconsideration will stay issuance of the appellate judgment until the court acts on all timely petitions for reconsideration. If the court denies the petition, the Administrator shall issue the appellate judgment the next judicial day after denial of the petition(s) for reconsideration.