Nebraska State Senator Al Davis of Hyannis has introduced a bill increasing the state’s beer excise tax by 5 cents per gallon…with the money raised going to law enforcement to help combat alcohol-related crimes. Nebraska’s current excise tax on beer is 31 cents per gallon, which is already higher than all bordering states.

Davis…whose district includes Whiteclay…says alcohol-related problems there were the genesis of his proposal. The roughly $2.3 million dollars that would be raised by the tax hike would be split evenly between the State Patrol and county law enforcement agencies.

Jason Payne, president of the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild, opposes the increase. He says it would hurt local breweries. Other opponents say the tax would ultimately be transferred to the consumer.