A plea to raise alcohol tax is due
Maryland lawmakers this week will hear what has become an annual plea to raise the state's alcohol tax to help pay for developmental disabilities care and substance abuse programs.
A plea to raise alcohol tax is due
The Sun, March 17, 2009
Maryland lawmakers this week will hear what has become an annual plea to raise the state's alcohol tax to help pay for developmental disabilities care and substance abuse programs.
Del. William A. Bronrott, a Montgomery County Democrat, said his proposal to raise the tax by 5 cents per drink would generate as much as $80 million each year to be used in part help as many as 1,000 of 19,000 people on a waiting list for disabilities assistance and others awaiting addiction treatment.
But the powerful liquor lobby has batted down such tax increases in the past and is likely to do so this year, Bronrott and other supporters acknowledged.
The excise tax on beer and wine has not changed since 1972 and on distilled spirits since 1955.
Julie Bykowicz