1900% beer tax hike proposal

Oregon is considering a 1900% increase in beer tax.

The state bill would impose a nearly 50-dollar tax on each barrel of beer produced by Oregon brewers.

Lawmakers who support the tax say the bill would fund programs for those addicted to alcohol, as well as raise revenue for the state.

But brewers say the tax would cost jobs and could force small breweries to close.

Oregon ranks 49-th among states in its malt beverage taxation rate, which hasn't been raised in 32 years.