Drivers at Premier Distributing, the largest Anheuser-Busch distributor in New Mexico, are transforming their beer delivery trucks into mobile billboards. Signs on the trucks urge adult beer drinkers to contact Gov Bill Richardson's office and tell him "no" on the proposed beer tax hike.
During the special legislative session that began October 27, bills have been proposed that would raise New Mexico beer taxes by 50% to 261%. If the higher tax proposal were approved, the hike would make New Mexico's beer tax the highest in the nation. In addition, the increase would cause beer prices to increase and jeopardize the New Mexico beer industry, which employs nearly 10,000 people.