Busch Spreads Lobbying Money Around September 14, 2005
News Summary
Brewer Anheuser-Busch has spent more than $8.5 million on lobbying and made $5.8 million in campaign contributions over the past five years, and the company's advocacy interests go far beyond beer, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Sept. 10.The St. Louis-based company lobbied on issues ranging from alcohol regulation to tourism, pesticide testing, and laws on endangered species -- the latter related to Busch's theme-park business. In the alcohol arena, the company opened its checkbook to oppose a nonbinding Congressional resolution on underage drinking, and to call for lower excise taxes on alcohol.
"All of the taxes on luxury products such as yachts and jewelry that were increased when the excise tax was doubled in 1991 have since been repealed, and we think it's extremely unfair to continue to tax our industry at this level," said Busch spokesperson Michael Roche. The company says it pays $2 billion annually in excise taxes.
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Tom Osborne (R-Neb.), called for an NCAA ban on alcohol ads during college sports broadcasts. "We are happy the NCAA recently listened to the majority of college and university presidents who are happy with their current approach, which permits the schools to make their own decisions when it comes to setting alcohol policies," said John Kaestner, Busch's vice president for consumer affairs.
Roche said the company's involvement in issues like underage drinking were "to make sure lawmakers understand our positions and are aware of our efforts to be part of the solution to these issues. Anheuser-Busch and our wholesaler family have invested more than a half-billion dollars since 1982 in advertising campaigns and community-based programs to help fight alcohol abuse."
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