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Alcohol tax campaign

Governor O’Malley allocated new alcohol tax revenue to health care and community services in his 2013 budget

The Lorraine Sheehan Coalition Commends Governor Martin O’Malley for keeping his commitment to make sure that the money raised by the newly enacted alcohol tax increase will be used to fund critical health care and community service needs. The Coalition is pleased that this is in addition to fact that the alcohol tax increase is already saving lives by reducing underage drinking and alcohol abuse.

All the members of the Coalition and the O’Malley Administration recognize that in these very difficult economic times, the FY 2013 budget is far from perfect and more funding is required in important programs.  With the alcohol tax increase, however, Maryland has been able to make take important steps to protect the health and well-being of many thousands of Marylanders. Other states can learn from our example.
We strongly urge the Maryland General Assembly to approve the uses of the alcohol tax revenues proposed by the O’Malley/Brown Administration.

SUMMARY OF ALCOHOL TAX LEGISLATION ENACTED DURING THE 2011 SESSION OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The 2011 Session of the Maryland General Assembly enacted several measures related to a new alcohol specific sales tax increase, which was the first time an alcohol specific tax was raised in Maryland since 1972. The measures are Senate Bill 994 sponsored by Senators Verna Jones-Rodwell and Rich Madaleno, House Bill 1213 sponsored by Delegate Carolyn Howard, the State Budget (House Bill 70), and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA – House Bill 72).

Both SB 994 and HB 1213 increased the sales tax on alcohol products in Maryland from the 6% that applies generally to 9% just for alcohol. This increase, which will raise at least $87 million dollars per year in new state revenue, will provide the following public health and education benefits for Marylanders:

1. The 3% alcohol sales tax increase will substantially reduce underage drinking and alcohol abuse and save numerous lives. According to Professors David Jernigan and Hugh Waters of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, it will lead to a nearly 2% decrease in alcohol consumption, and prevent 14 deaths, 125 cases of aggravated assault, 26 incidents of severe violence against children, and close to 6,000 cases of alcohol abuse or dependence every year. This is a very significant public health success.

2. SB 994 provides that $15 million of the $87 million will go to reduce the chronically under funded waiting list for people with developmental disabilities. As a result, children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome will receive desperately needed support services.

3. While funding for mental health needs was not included in the alcohol tax bills, the Governor’s supplemental budget allocated $15 million for publicly funded mental health care, providing desperately needed resources for community mental health services in response to a 40% increase in program enrollment since 2008. With expected federal matching funds of $20 million, the increased funding for community mental health totals $35 million.

4. After the first year, at least $87 million dollars per year will be available for the Governor and General Assembly to use through the regular budget process, which we will urge be used for all the health care and community services needs set out in the original Lorraine Sheehan Act legislation which was sponsored by Senators Verna Jones-Rodwell and Rich Madaleno and Delegates Jim Hubbard and Justin Ross (these needs include health care; services for people with developmental disabilities and mental health needs; drug, alcohol and tobacco cessation, prevention and treatment; and health care worker training).The Maryland General Assembly passed the proposal to raise the state’s alcohol tax on the last day of the 2011 legislative session! Check out the News section of our website for great media coverage and a statement by our coalition praising this effort and encouraging Governor O’Malley to sign the bill into law.

Raising the state’s alcohol tax will save lives and fund critical state programs.  The Health Care for All! Coalition was proud to work with a wonderful coalition of advocates from  the developmental disabilities, mental health, substance abuse treatment and health care workforce communities on this important campaign.

Lorraine Sheehan Coalition Victory Statement

Highlights from our Rally in Annapolis for Alcohol Tax Proposal

February 16th

What started as a faith event at St. Anne’s Church at Church Circle in Annapolis blossomed into a great opportunity for all alcohol tax supporters to come and join our brothers and sisters in faith to show support for this important life-saving proposal.  In addition to t faith leaders from across the state, we were joined by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, peer health educators from the Prince George’s County Youth Council/4Real Institute and many other members of our wonderful Health Care for All! Coalition!

Resources for more info:

  • Alcohol Tax Fact Sheet
  • Alcohol Tax Report Part I
  • Alcohol Tax Report Part II
  • Public Polling on Alcohol Tax
  • Alcohol Tax Radio Ad

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