Washington Post, March 17, 2009
 

A senator and delegate from Montgomery County are urging the General Assembly to increase alcohol taxes by five cents a drink to pay for improved services for the developmentally disabled and those battling drug and alcohol addictions. Maryland has the second-lowest alcohol tax in the nation; the excise on distilled spirits was last raised in 1955 and the tax on beer and wine in 1972.
 

There are 19,000 Maryland residents on waiting lists for state-funded services for the developmentally disabled. Del. William A. Bronrott (D-Montgomery) was joined in Annapolis by some of the people waiting for services and their families, as well as recovering addicts, to push for the legislation. He and Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery) estimate that the tax increase would raise $80 million a year.
 

Rosalind S. Helderman