An editorial from JSOnline.com is basically saying that it’s pretty sad that Wisconsin lawmakers can’t even mention the words “beer tax” without getting laughed out of the capital building. Our current beer tax ($2 per barrel) hasn’t been touched in 40 years. We’re pretty much rock bottom among the 50 states as far as taxing out booze goes. And the editorial points out …

• Wisconsin has the highest rate in the nation of adult binge drinkers, is a leader in underage drinkers and is the 48th worst in alcohol-related, per-capita health costs.
• The state's culture of drinking is real.
• In Wisconsin, as in other states, experts cite alcohol as disproportionately involved in traffic injuries and fatalities, domestic violence, child abuse, rape and crime generally - imposing burdensome social and financial costs on the state.
• Yet raising the tax on alcohol is said to be a "political non-starter." As in, what are you crazy? This is Wisconsin.

Given that our state budget deficit is pushing $6 billion, the untouchable-ness of the tax seems kinda sorta insane. Especially since we tax tobacco so heavily. Personally, I guess I’d pay a little more for every barrel of beer I buy if it means helping out the whole damn state. It’s the least I could do. What about you?