Legislation launched to help grow Oregon beer, wine, cider, distilling industry

by Communications Office

Ron unveiled legislation last weekend in Oregon that would help to continue the strong growth of the craft beverage industry -- brewers, vintners, cidermakers and distillers -- in the state and nationwide.

Flanked by representatives from each of those beverage industries in Oregon at a June 12 news conference at Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, Ron detailed how the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act would reduce outdated excise taxes and streamline antiquated regulations.

The result, he said, would “uncork” even more growth in these homegrown Oregon beverage industries, which combine to produce an estimated 40,000 jobs and $6 billion in annual revenue for the state.

“The combination of tax relief and regulatory relief will free up the capital for small business that they need to reinvest to create even more jobs,’’ he said. “This is a 21st century powerful economic engine for Oregon.”

After Friday’s news conference in Portland, the senator held a roundtable Saturday in Eugene with brewers, vintners, cidermakers and distillers from Eugene and the Willamette Valley; and Sunday in Bend with brewers, vintners, cidermakers and distillers from Central Oregon.

At all three stops in Portland, Eugene and Bend, industry officials lauded the bill for combining all their conerens into one comprehensive piece of legislation. The legislation will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where Ron is the top-ranking Democrat.