PITTSBURGH -- A new political action group in Allegheny County wanting to get the county's 10 percent drink tax repealed is targeting lawmakers who voted for it.

The Hospitality Political Action Committee was founded this year to give hotel, restaurant, bar and banquet facility operators a unified political voice in fighting the 10 percent drink tax.

Their first order of business comes on April 22 with a candidate who voted for the drink tax.

They are asking voters to vote against Allegheny County Council member Brenda Frazier, who voted in favor of the drink tax. Frazier is running in the 21st Legislative District, which includes Pittsburgh neighborhoods like Lawrenceville and Morningside and a number of municipalities, including Millvale, Shaler and Reserve Township.

“It’s HOSPAC’s intention not to let stand,” said Chairman John Graf. “Pay when they run for office.”

Many bar and restaurant owners said the drink tax is hurting their business. The owner of Jerry's Bar on the North Side said his business is down 30 percent since the tax went into effect.

“We're for sale,” said bar owner Jerry Kaelin. “That's how bad this is.”

HOSPAC said Liquor Control Board figures show sales for wholesale liquor up more than 7 percent in Westmoreland, Washington and Butler counties but down nearly 5 percent in Allegheny County.

Others say the tax hurts Pittsburgh's efforts to draw more young people to the city.

“Young people go out to a variety of places, look for independent operators, not national chains,” said Penn Brewery President Tom Pastorius.

Frazier is running against former city police chief Dom Costa and former city councilman Len Bodack.

HOSPAC has not endorsed any of the candidates.

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