I have received numerous calls from across the nation questioning why I would introduce a state constitutional amendment to raise the beer tax. The truth is there are many sound reasons to increase California's meager excise tax on beer:

• Taxpayers – including one-third of the state population that does not drink -- and businesses pay billions in health care and law enforcement costs for alcohol-associated crimes, traffic accidents and fatalities, lost productivity, and illnesses. Those responsible for these costs should start paying their fair share.
  
  
• The increase would cut under-age drinking which can lead to alcoholism.
  
  
• The increase would cut the crime rate, including cases of sexual assault and drunken driving. According to a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report based on a survey at 465 jails nationwide, a third of the prisoners said they had been drinking at the time of their arrest.
  
  
• Reduce the cases of fetal alcohol syndrome, the number one preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States.
  
  
• The increase would generate $2 billion into earmarked accounts reserved for emergency and trauma care, victims assistance, school counselors and education, prevention programs, law enforcement, mental health services, and advertising to counter Big Beer's marketing. Money from these accounts would not be diverted for other uses.

For those drinkers who say this tax is too much, I ask them are these statistics too much?

• More than 97,000 girls across the nation are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape every year.
  
  
• About 100,000 sexual assault victims nationwide report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex every year.
  
  
• 31 percent of college students met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse during the past 12 months.
  
  
• More than 90 percent of the alcohol consumed by 12- to 20-year olds occurs during binge drinking.
• One in five youths, ages 12-20, binge drinks.
  
  
• Every day, more than 5,400 kids under 16 take their first drink.
  
  
• 2,250 youths tried to commit suicide in the past year due to drinking or drug use.

To gain a better understanding of why I decided to seek a beer tax increase, I would encourage you to read more about the historical and statistical background relating to this proposal.

Some people who describe themselves as responsible drinkers have contacted my office saying that those who create these problems should be held accountable. I agree. And the arrow of accountability points to the beer industry – which by far has the largest market of alcohol consumers, including under-age drinkers – and those who consume alcohol.

One-third of all Californians do not drink alcohol, yet they are paying for the devastating toll that alcohol takes in deaths, accidents, and crimes. I believe if you are responsible enough to drink beer, then you ought to be responsible enough to share part of the burden it places on society.

This method of taxation is fair: It solely taxes the breweries. Ultimately, the breweries can choose whether they want to pass the cost onto consumer.

This is a controversial proposal and one I do not take lightly. I want your opinions. Click here to participate in a survey and to write your comments.