The state government of Minnesota is still shut down, and the economic costs of the shutdown continue to pile up.
First it was park closures and canceled fourth of July events. Now Minnesota is running out of beer! The horror!
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Tuesday that bars, restaurants and stores are already running out of supplies because many of them must renew their $20 state-issued alcohol purchasing cards before replenishing inventories.
Already 425 establishments have been left with expired cards and it’s just expected to get worse. Another 116 cannot buy liquor because they can’t pay their delinquent tax bills.
“This is going to treadmill across the whole state the longer [the Republican lawmakers] hold out,” Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton told the paper. “It’s going to hit every bar and restaurant that needs a liquor license.”
“This doesn’t just affect retailers, but wholesalers, and the manufacturers, and wedding parties, and church functions, and one day liquor licenses for charity events, and festivals and the list goes on and on and on,” Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association’s Frank Ball told KARE 11.
Why do Minnesota Republicans hate business so much? Is this really worth refusing to raise taxes by even a single penny?
Which is worse -- paying 1% more in taxes, or going out of business entirely?
I applaud Governor Mark Dayton's determination.