Maryland government proposes to raise alcohol tax to fund those with development disabilities
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: News
By Tess McLaughlin
Staff Writer
Cabs fill the Evergreen Campus every Friday night, ushering a large portion of the Loyola student body to their desired destinations, often to establishments that serve adult beverages. After a weekend of fun it is sometimes hard to calculate where that $50 went you just got for Christmas. But what would Loyola say if they found out their nights out at Craig's and Mad River were about to get even more expensive? What if Maryland increased the tax on alcohol?
Alcohol Tax. Two of the most controversial words thrown together into one concept, guaranteed to start a debate. The proposition of a tax on alcohol was brought to the forefront last year, and after being defeated, the proposed bill is being revived again for round two. The Maryland tax on alcohol has not been increased since 1972, which is an unusually long period of time for a sin tax to go without being adjusted.
This proposed tax has a direct purpose: A large portion of the revenues raised from this tax would go to fund the Developmentally Disabilities Waiting List. This Maryland waiting list is almost 20,000 persons long and contains a generational spectrum, from children age four with autism to 40-year-old adults with downs syndrome or severe mental retardation.
For a Loyola student, the alcohol tax would break down to about 10 cents per drink, or $3.00 more for a 30 pack of beer. But this seemingly subtle increase is creating quite a stir in our already declining, and imbibing economy. Many bars and restaurants are against the alcohol tax, noting that it would significantly affect their revenue. Many fear that with higher prices, people would instead cross the border into Washington D.C., hurting the Maryland economy.
For others it is also hard to argue against a small increase in a luxury tax applied to a discretionary beverage, and one that would specifically benefit so many who struggle financially just to get through everyday activities due to their disabilities.
Staff Writer
Cabs fill the Evergreen Campus every Friday night, ushering a large portion of the Loyola student body to their desired destinations, often to establishments that serve adult beverages. After a weekend of fun it is sometimes hard to calculate where that $50 went you just got for Christmas. But what would Loyola say if they found out their nights out at Craig's and Mad River were about to get even more expensive? What if Maryland increased the tax on alcohol?
Alcohol Tax. Two of the most controversial words thrown together into one concept, guaranteed to start a debate. The proposition of a tax on alcohol was brought to the forefront last year, and after being defeated, the proposed bill is being revived again for round two. The Maryland tax on alcohol has not been increased since 1972, which is an unusually long period of time for a sin tax to go without being adjusted.
This proposed tax has a direct purpose: A large portion of the revenues raised from this tax would go to fund the Developmentally Disabilities Waiting List. This Maryland waiting list is almost 20,000 persons long and contains a generational spectrum, from children age four with autism to 40-year-old adults with downs syndrome or severe mental retardation.
For a Loyola student, the alcohol tax would break down to about 10 cents per drink, or $3.00 more for a 30 pack of beer. But this seemingly subtle increase is creating quite a stir in our already declining, and imbibing economy. Many bars and restaurants are against the alcohol tax, noting that it would significantly affect their revenue. Many fear that with higher prices, people would instead cross the border into Washington D.C., hurting the Maryland economy.
For others it is also hard to argue against a small increase in a luxury tax applied to a discretionary beverage, and one that would specifically benefit so many who struggle financially just to get through everyday activities due to their disabilities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
ThirtsyAlum
posted 2/17/10 @ 2:05 PM EST
Current official 'Pro' arguments for tax:
1. Desperately needed to help with 2 Billion budget short-fall
2. Desperately needed to fund new entitlement programs for disabled
3. (Continued…)
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