News Archive
Disability agency gets more money, plans more programs
After a rocky six months for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal increases funding by about $31 million...
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O’Malley restores $25.7 million to disabilities agency
The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration is slated to get back $25.7 million...
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Hundreds attend meeting on disabilities budget error
When Jacque Shade's toddler was diagnosed with autism, doctors told her he'd never speak and would probably have to be institutionalized.
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Lawmakers, caregivers want answers on unspent disabilities money
House members ask O’Malley to restore $25.7 million...
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DDA Issues Highlight Needs
Changes proposed at the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration after that agency returned more than $25 million in unspent funds to the state budget...
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Senate Committee wants answers on why disabilities' funds weren't used
Members of the state Senate Finance Committee will receive a briefing Wednesday from health department officials on how the Developmental Disabilities Administration failed to spend $34.5 million...
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Caregivers are Angry Over Unspent Disabilities Funding
Health Secretary Joshua Sharfstein will try to explain to the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday how the Developmental Disabilities Administration left $38 million unspent...
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Maryland disabilities agency leaves $38M unspent
Maryland’s beleaguered Developmental Disabilities Administration, with thousands on its waiting list for care, left $25 million in state funding unspent...
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O'Malley says he supports using future tax proceeds for health & community services
Advocates for health care and the developmentally disabled on Thursday cheered the 50 percent increase in the state’s sales tax on beer, wine and spirits with the hope future proceeds will go to health needs.
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How Marylanders beat the alcohol lobby
In a budget season filled with controversies over taxes, deficits and cuts across the country, Maryland just took a historic step...
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O’Malley Signs Alcohol Tax Increase
A new law goes on the books that could cut into your entertainment dollars.
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State's alcohol tax will help people with disabilities
"Amazing, awesome, incredible" and "I am overjoyed" were among the responses I received...
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General Assembly passes tax hike in final hours
With a little more than an hour left in the General Assembly session Monday night, legislators finalized a proposal to hike the sales tax on alcohol...
by Sarah Breitenbach, Margie Hyslop and Alan Brody
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Maryland Raises Alcohol Tax 9 Percent
There's a lot of work, and little profit right now at Baying Hound Aleworks in Rockville, Maryland.
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New 3% alcohol passes; O'Malley will sign
The House of Delegates and Senate Monday night passed a new 3% sales tax on alcohol...
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Tax increase on alcohol advancing in Md. House
Maryland’s House of Delegates on Saturday was angling to pass a targeted tax increase on alcohol for the first time in 38 years.
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Alcohol tax hurdles first bar as it gains Senate approval
Advocates celebrate as they wait for House to sign off on plan
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Md. alcohol tax likely to increase, finally
FOUR DECADES is a long time to wait, but at last Marylanders can be hopeful that the state’s politicians are prepared to stand up to the alcohol lobby.
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Alcohol tax still in limbo as budget negotiations conclude
House has yet to act on boosting levy to 9 percent
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Senate sends 3% alcohol tax to House
The Senate passed a new 3% sales tax surcharge on alcoholic beverages, bringing the total to 9% sales tax on beer, wine and spirits. The vote was 27 to 19, with eight Democrats joining 11 Republicans in opposing the measure.
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New alcohol tax idea emerges
Lawmakers have been weighing whether to raise the tax on alcoholic beverages since the first day of this year's legislative session. But the idea is getting a fresh look in recent weeks -- with a twist.
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'Dime-a-drink' will save lives, not kill jobs
There is an annual ritual in the beer industry: every fall Anheuser-Busch raises its prices, usually in the range of 3-4 four percent.
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Spirited debate: proposed state alcohol tax increase has supporters, detractors
After quickly browsing Cranberry Liquors in Westminster Thursday, Barry Hamilton purchased a 12-pack of Coors Light to stock his refrigerator.
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10 Cent "Booze Tax" Increase Supported by Disabilities Coalition
A 10-cent state tax hike on alcohol has been proposed to the state house and senate.
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Disabilities advocates rally for alcohol tax money
More than 100 advocates for Marylanders with developmental disabilities rallied today in front of the State House, imploring passing lawmakers to increase the alcohol tax and send more aid their way.
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Developmentally Disabled Rally for Dime-a-Drink
ANNAPOLIS – Protesters rallied Friday outside the State House in Annapolis to show their support for the proposed dime-a-drink alcohol tax.
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Hampden Liquor Store Supports Alcohol Tax
Sen. Mike Miller has already made it loud and clear that no increase in alcohol taxes will pass under his watch.
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A dime a drink would help solve Maryland's budget woes
ALCOHOL LOBBYISTS, those perennial darlings of lawmakers in Annapolis, are fighting tooth and nail to maintain Maryland's rock-bottom tax rates on beer, wine and spirits...
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Time may be right for gas, alcohol taxes
Now that the 428th session of Maryland’s General Assembly has begun, all anyone with their eyes on Annapolis can talk about is money, money, money.
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Alcohol tax proposed in MD
Your drink of choice will get more expensive if a proposed alcohol tax increase is passed in Maryland.
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Dime A Drink tax on table
MDlawmakers are considering a "dime a drink" alcohol tax increase, saying it will lower the gaping budget deficit and avert cases of alcohol abuse.
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Study shows Marylanders favor increased alcohol tax
More than 60 percent of likely Maryland voters favor an increase to the state's alcohol tax...
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MD Drink Tax a Win-Win, Say Supporters
A new study concludes an increase in Maryland's alcohol tax could save lives and money.
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Lawmakers look to boost the booze tax in MD
Energized by a poll showing broad public support, lawmakers will soon advance a dime-per-drink tax increase in the Maryland General Assembly.
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Push continues for Md. alcohol tax hike
A study released Tuesday says a proposed hike in the state’s alcohol tax would decrease the number of alcohol-related deaths in Maryland...
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Fox 45 Top Story
Alcoholic beverages could soon cost more in Maryland if state lawmakers hike up the alcohol tax to generate revenue.
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Alcohol May Come With A New Kind of High: Taxes
Alex DeMetrick reports supporters of a “Dime a Drink Tax” think they have a shot at making it happen in Maryland.
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MD To Mull Alcohol Tax Increase
A new study released Tuesday shows an increase in the state alcohol tax would save Maryland millions of dollars ...
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Advocates Push For Alcohol Tax Before General Assembly
Despite the heated anti-tax rhetoric from last November's elections, Vincent DeMarco of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative is convinced he has the votes for his proposed dime a drink increase in state liquor taxes.
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Political notebook: Disability advocates lobby for alcohol tax
Michelle Rikon of Elkridge has a 12-year-old son with multiple disabilities who
sometimes violently lashes out at her and his 8-year-old brother...
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Let's get on the wagon and bring booze levy up to date
Propose a tax increase in an election year? What on earth would motivate a candidate to do something so potentially campaign-killing as that?
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Ehrlich, O'Malley won't back liquor tax hike
The proposed dime-a-drink tax on alcoholic beverages, which would pay for health care initiatives and disability services, may have strong support in the General Assembly...
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'The Cheap Drunk State'
THERE'S NO REASON to take seriously the dire warnings about Maryland's looming deficits unless taxpayers are confident that state officials are at least doing the relatively easy things to produce revenue and cut costs.
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The 'Dime A Drink' Pledge
Aside from the self-destructive and Walter F. Mondale, politicians don’t generally run on a promise to raise taxes. They’re more inclined to run from that prospect.
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Maryland government proposes to raise alcohol tax to fund those with development disabilities
Available data reveals that assisting someone with a developmental disability can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $200,000 a year, making it difficult to literally impossible for many to lend support to their disabled loved ones.
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It's time for MD to increase the tax on alcoholic beverages
State Delegate William Bronrott and other delegates have filed House Bill 832...
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Maryland's strong alcohol lobby likely to quash tax increase
In recent years, Maryland has raised its sales tax, income tax, corporate tax and cigarette tax; added a surcharge called the "millionaires' tax"; and created taxes on electronic bingo, tip jars and even water and septic systems -- the "flush tax."
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Polls Say Most Marylanders Support Alcohol Tax Hike
BERLIN – With the release two polls suggesting a great majority of the residents of Maryland support a proposed “dime a drink” hike, a proposed alcohol tax increase appears to be gaining some momentum in Annapolis, but the measure is still fiercely opposed by business owners in the hospitality-rich resort area.
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Alcohol Tax Pits Supporters Against Liquor Industry
The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010, which was presented to the Senate Budget and Taxation committee, would tax each drink of alcohol an extra 10 cents.
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Maryland lawmakers to weigh alcohol tax increase
A state Senate committee was expected to consider a bill Wednesday that would raise the state tax on beer by twelve-fold.
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Disabilities advocates urge to reduce waiting list
Dan and Linda Fox of Pasadena have spent the last 14 years fighting for more state funding for residents with developmental disabilities.
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Developmentally Disabled Protest MD Budget Cuts
Hundreds of developmentally disabled people and their supporters marched on the statehouse...
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Disabiities Advocates Want Less Waiting
Hundreds of disabilities advocates walked or bused from the Loews Annapolis Hotel to the General Assembly Thursday urging the legislature to partially fund at least 90 percent of people on the state disabilities services waiting list.
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Advocates Converge in Annapolis for Developmental Disabilities Day
With a husband deployed in Afghanistan, Mountain Knotter needs help from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration...
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Advocates Rally For Disabled Services Bills
Hundreds of advocates for the developmentally disabled marched on Annapolis on Thursday, lobbying legislators to pass bills that would help shrink waiting lists for services.
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Disabilities check-off would cut waiting list Bill
More than 19,000 residents with disabilities are waiting for state-funded services, and about half are in a crisis situation, providers said.
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The pros and cons of an alcohol tax increase
Just like last year, an alcohol tax is being proposed as part of health legislation in this year’s legislative session.
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Alcohol sales rise despite increase in Massachusetts tax
BOSTON – People are downing more beers, wine and hard liquor than expected during the poor economy, judging by booming collections of a new state tax on the sale of alcohol.
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A True Need (Balto. Sun Editorial)
Pam Matheson was a young special education teacher when she first went to the Rosewood Center in Owings Mills for training, and before long, she'd fallen in love with Matthew, a 7-year-old boy with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome...
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Md. should raise its alcohol tax to cut the deficit
WITH ALL THE groaning and wailing about hard times and austere budgets from Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and some lawmakers, you'd think that the state had reached the limits of its revenue-generating options.
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Senate Democrats offer 'progressive' agenda
The Democratic leadership of the Maryland Senate announced a wide-ranging session agenda...
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Dan Rodrick's Show
The Developmental Disabilities Waiting List and the End The Wait Now Campaign were featured on “Midday with Dan Rodricks”
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Booze Tax Hike Pitch Blasted
" Although no formal legislation has been introduced in the early days of the 2010 General Assembly session, a handful of state lawmakers, with the blessing of several advocacy groups, are pushing for a “dime a drink” alcohol tax increase in Maryland, a proposal that appears to be gaining little traction in this hospitality-rich area.
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Alcohol industry's tax burden moves at last into modern age
Maryland collects a measly $15 million a year in excise taxes on distilled spirits...
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Maryland seeks to raise beer tax (Blog)
It's been awhile since we discussed beer taxes but the issue has popped back up in the news.
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Alcohol tax supporters push dime-a-drink tax
ANNAPOLIS (AP) A coalition of alcohol tax supporters are advocating for a dime-a-drink tax on booze in Maryland.
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Maryland Legislators Tackle Deficit
After a four-year tuition freeze at state universities in Maryland, the cost of going to college is likely to soon rise.
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O'Malley expects end to tuition freeze at U.Md.
Maryland lawmakers are preparing to chop state programs to shore up a $2 billion budget shortfall before federal stimulus funds dry up in the next several months.
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Liquor tax proposal not popular with Carroll delegates
A proposal to increase the state alcohol tax by 10 cents a drink isn’t popular with the Carroll County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly.
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Alcohol Tax Supporters Push Dime-A-Drink Tax
A coalition of alcohol tax supporters are advocating for a dime-a-drink tax on booze in Maryland...
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Dime-a-Drink Alcohol Tax Would Help Fund Public Health Needs
If some lawmakers in Annapolis get their way, the next drink Marylanders take could cost them more money.
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Maryland Considers Taxing Cocktails.
It’s enough to make a liquor lobbyist reach for a nice stiff drink. There’s a move afoot to levy a dime-a-drink tax on beer, wine and liquor in Maryland.
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Maryland lawmakers rally behind alcohol tax
A handful of Maryland legislators and public health officials are backing a bill that would raise the alcohol tax by 10 cents.
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Lawmakers rally around 10-cent alcohol tax
Maryland lawmakers announced plans for a 10-cent cocktail tax Tuesday -- equal to about $2.40 on a case of beer -- one day before the legislative session begins in Annapolis.
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Miller & Busch Give Thumbs Down To Drink Tax
Advocates for expanded health care for low income people, as wells as advocates for the disabled are expected to introduce legislation Tuesday that would raise the state's alcohol tax by 10-cents per drink.
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$2.10 for a Miller Lite?
With Gov. Martin O’Malley about a week away from unveiling $2 billion of cuts to the state budget, public health advocates are fretting that their programs will be among the snips.
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Some MD Lawmakers Want a "Dime-a-Drink"
Maryland lawmakers are ready to raise the tax on alcohol.
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Md. advocates back increase in liquor tax
Public health advocates are rallying behind a 10 cents-per-drink increase in Maryland's alcohol tax to protect programs that could fall victim to the next round of state cuts needed to avoid a projected $2 billion budget shortfall.
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Coverage of Alcohol Tax
Fox 45 coverage of the Alcohol Tax in MD
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Cutbacks may affect the disabled
Applause and cheers filled the Human Resources Development Commission building in Cumberland on Thursday night...
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Families frustrated by developmental disabilities waiting list
About 19,000 developmentally disabled children and adults deemed eligible for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration are currently on a waiting list.
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Increase Proposed For Maryland Liquor Tax
Follow link to WUSA TV segment on alcohol tax proposal that aired Friday night at 11 o'clock:
At the WUSA page, you can click on the mini-TV screen to view that segment that aired.
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Surviving with less...
CNN aired an excellent program on Maryland budget cuts this weekend, featuring a family in Frederick County and Town Hall meetings in Frederick and Baltimore. Please click on the link below for the video.
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Lawmakers, others resist call to raise alcohol tax
With state revenues in a deep, dark hole, some groups are pushing for an increase in taxes on a product no one truly needs, many would be better off without and which hasn't had a state tax increase in decades - alcohol.
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Disability groups denounce budget cuts at town hall meeting
Prince George's County residents and disability advocates are urging Maryland to put the brakes on budget cuts...
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Advocates decry state cuts for disabled
More than 200 concerned people from Southern Maryland filled a town hall meeting at St. John Vianney Family Life Center
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Hundreds decry cuts to services for the disabled
They came in wheelchairs, carried signs and pleaded with state legislators not to cut the funding that pays for the services they need.
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Disabled face cuts in funding
In a packed room in Frederick, Md., posters lined the walls highlighting individuals in the community who have developmental disabilities and the services they receive.
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Disability advocates: No more service cuts
A meeting room at The Arc of Frederick County was filled Wednesday night for a town hall meeting...
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Standing Room Only at Town Hall Protesting Cuts...
Hundreds of people gathered for a town hall meeting Wednesday night to address more than 30-million dollars in cuts to state programs for people with disabilities.
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Developmental disabilities community decries budget cuts to state services
Advocates for people with developmental disabilities are mobilizing to try to preserve their services in the midst of Maryland's budget crisis.
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Advocates for disabled protest
$29 million in state cuts is too much, they contend, as they press O'Malley for a reversal
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Cuts to programs for developmental disabilities protested
Overflow crowd shares concerns with legislators in emotional meeting
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Eighty-three percent of Marylanders support an increase in the alcohol tax
Eighty-three percent of Marylanders support an increase in the alcohol tax to fund addiction treatment and developmental disability services...
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Hundreds rally in support of services for Maryland's developmentally disabled
Budget cuts will add to state waiting list, advocates say
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Nearly 200 Rally in Annapolis for Developmentally Disabled
Fear of Maryland's next round of budget cuts brought about 200 developmentally disabled people and workers who assist them to rally against cuts to state services on Wednesday.
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Alcohol tax increase unlikely to destroy jobs
Letter to the Editor. In response to the letter "Raising alcohol tax would destroy jobs" 3/25, there is no research basis for the claim that an alcohol tax increase (that means literally pennies per drink to consumers) will cost thousands of jobs.
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Maryland alcohol tax may quadruple
Maryland lawmakers this week floated the idea of raising alcohol taxes for the first time in decades...
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Alcohol tax could help disabled, addicted
Proposal to levy 5 cents per drink could shorten list of 19,000 awaiting services
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Alcohol Tax Hike Debated
Senate and House committees in Annapolis have wrapped up two days of hearings on a bill to increase the state's tax on liquor wine and beer.
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Lawmakers, liquor lobby square off again
I was miles and miles away, in a vineyard in Napa Valley, when I first learned just how powerful the liquor lobby is back home in Maryland...
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The Enablers in Annapolis
Before Gov. Martin O'Malley and Maryland legislators cut another penny from classroom aid, before they balance the budget by reducing mental health services or Medicaid and before state employees are furloughed again...
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Maryland Alcohol Tax Could Get Higher
You could be paying about a nickel more for a cocktail if Maryland lawmakers pass a bill to raise the statewide alcohol excise tax.
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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.
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Lawmakers Aim to Boost Alcohol Taxes
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.
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5-cent liquor tax could ease disability crisis
Five cents may not be much these days, Kate Rollason said as she passed out nickels last week to a roomful of county lawmakers...
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Alcohol Tax Would Mean Money for the Disabled
You could be paying a nickel more per drink if lawmakers pass a new bill...
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Advocates Converge in Annapolis for Developmental Disabilities Day
ANNAPOLIS - With a husband deployed in Afghanistan, Mountain Knotter needs help from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration to care for her two autistic children, but she’s been told to wait six more years.
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MD Legislators Seek Alcohol Tax Increase
Alcohol in Maryland would become a few cents more expensive under legislation proposed Monday by lawmakers who want to increase alcohol taxes to fund services for people with disabilities and addictions.
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Funding shortfall for county Arc program hits Bowie hard
The facts are clear: The state is in an unprecedented budget crisis and, as a result, many vital programs are going to suffer by way of budget cuts.
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Letter to the Editor
But Maryland has lost its heart. It is the wealthiest state in the nation yet it ranks near the bottom in spending on essential services for citizens with severe disabilities.
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Op-Ed: "Ignoring God's Children"
It is startling to see your life depicted on a television show, especially when that show is a top-rated crime drama.
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BUDGET CUTS ARE PROTESTED
Drop expected in state money for disabled.
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Advocates for disabled dreading possible program cuts
O'Malley to unveil reductions in spending next week.
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Developmental Disabilities Advocates Ask to be Spared From Budget Cuts
ANNAPOLIS - A week before the Maryland Board of Public Works meets to consider budget cuts for state agencies, advocates for people with developmental disabilities said they cannot afford to absorb any decrease in funding.
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Governor O'Malley: End the Wait Now
The DDA Waiting List is a growing crisis that needs Gov. O'Malley and our elected officials to address by substantially increasing funding. The End the Wait Now! Campaign was started to advocate for this action.
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Crisis in care: Stretched families hunt for a break
In many ways, Terri Kellum considers herself lucky.
Thanks to funding from the state Developmental Disabilities Administration...
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In Anne Arundel, more than 1,100 with disabilities wait for help that's not coming
The need for services for these residents has especially soared in the past few years, and local non-profits say they're overwhelmed.
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Annapolis bracing for special session
Holding on to state aid is focus of battle for many. Everyone from the developmentally disabled to school systems to local governments is girding for the fight to maintain state funding...
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Reality-based budgeting
Even if Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to resolve the state's $1.7 billion budget deficit is approved by the General Assembly, new taxes and all, the list will continue to be just as long. It would cost nearly $500 million to eliminate it completely. OP-ED Article
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Holes in safety net for state's disabled
(Letter to the Editor)
While Maryland is the wealthiest state in the nation, it ranks near the bottom in spending for developmental disability services. In response to the chronic underfunding of the DDA, people with disabilities and their families and advocates are engaging in a renewed effort...
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A Quiet Crisis
A quiet crisis that has been growing for years demands attention, and help may finally be on the way. More than 15,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families are stuck on a State list waiting for community services while their situations get worse.
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