** Update: After a six hour debate, the House of Delegates Saturday night gave initial approval for measures that increase the tax rate on alcohol from 6 percent to 9 percent and dedicate the revenues to education and the developmentally disabled (for one year.) The bills have a ways to go, and not much time before Gov. Martin O'Malley can sign: They need final passage in the House Monday and must be approved by the Senate the same day.
** Original post:
The House Ways & Means Committee Saturday afternoon approved a pair of bills that will increase the sales taxes on beer, wine and liquor from 6 percent to 9 percent, and dedicate most of the extra money to school construction in the state's largest counties.
The additional revenues are not needed to balance the
Proposed allocation of revenues from increase to alcohol tax:
Developmental Disabilities Administration:
The agency would receive $15 million
School construction money:
*Anne Arundel County: $5 million
*Baltimore City: $9 million
*Baltimore County: $7 million
*Howard County: $4 million
*Montgomery County: $9 million
*Prince George's County: $9 million
*Eight Eastern Shore counties: $1.25 million (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, *Wicomico and Worcester)
*Five Western Maryland counties: $750K (Allegany, Garrett, Washington, Carroll and Frederick)
*Three Southern Maryland counties: $750K (Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's)
*Two N. Maryland counties: $1.25 million (Cecil and Harford)
Education aid:
* Baltimore city: $12.2 million
* Prince George's County: $8.8 million