www.alkoholpolitik.ch

The House of Delegates gave preliminary approval to a 50 percent increase to the sales tax on alcohol starting July 1.
The bill and companion legislation would raise $87 million for the state, to be split among mental health initiatives and education. Under the plan crafted by the House Ways and Means Committee earlier Saturday, the Developmental Disabilities Administration would receive $15 million from the boon. More than $47.5 million would be used for school construction and another $21 million was previously earmarked in the state budget for schools.
If approved by the Senate, the legislation would represent a major victory by health and education advocates, who have seen their efforts to raise alcohol taxes rebuffed for decades by the powerful state liquor lobby.
The Senate had previously approved a bill that would increase the sales tax on alcohol by 1 percent per year, from the state’s standard 6 percent until it hit 9 percent. The House, in a vote, just before 11 p.m. Saturday night, opted to move straight to 9 percent. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 04/10/11) thedailyrecord.com, 04/09/11