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.
The General Assembly is considering the so-called "dime-a-drink" proposal, but many lawmakers have said that if alcohol taxes are raised, they want any increased revenues to flow to the strapped general fund, not to specific causes.
Chanting "DD link, dime a drink" and "Ten cents makes sense," the supporters thrust cardboard dimes into the air and distributed information about disabilities funding. From his wheelchair, Aaron Kaufman (pictured), who has cerebral palsy, said he sees the issue as "about whether the legislature choose the people or the powerful." The alcoholic beverages lobby has campaigned against the bill.
Kaufman, a member of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, said he knows lawmakers would prefer to push any increased revenue into the general fund but urged them to slice off a piece to help pay for services for the developmentally disabled.
"We will not tire until at least some of the money is devoted to us," he said.
Comments
Tobacco taxes were to go to childrens health care. Now alcohol taxes to the disabled.
If you do not take up smoking and drinking fro the childrens and disabled's betterment, you must hate children and the disabled.
SMOKE AND DRINK PLENTY TO SAVE THE CHILDREN AND DISABLED!
Posted by: Anonymous | February 11, 2011 4:20 PM
I think they should hold all new taxes until all the slot parlors are up and running. Then we will have an idea of how short the state's bank accounts are. But as one who works in the DD community, and sees that some people have to spend some of their money so they continue to qualify for more government money, I think we need to make sure the system is becoming abuse proof.
Posted by: Richard Smith | February 11, 2011 4:49 PM
Jobs will be lost if taxes are raised
Why do we not get it!!!
No tax increase ,please.
Posted by: Jim Faulkner | February 11, 2011 5:46 PM
If liquor is taxed an additional 10 cents per ounce, a 1.75 liter bottle would cost $5.92 more.
Posted by: East Baltimore Guy | February 11, 2011 6:24 PM
wow another set of coffers the Democrats can raid at will. Really how much of this new TAX money will really reach the people it is trying to help?
Posted by: RIGHTOFCENTER | February 23, 2011 11:42 AM