New laws go into effect across the Washington region on Friday that will raise the cost of alcohol in Maryland, enable Virginians to file protective orders against a boyfriend or girlfriend, and require employees in both states to pay more for their pension benefits. Marylanders will pay about 30 cents more for every $10 of alcohol starting Friday, when the state’s 50 percent increase in the alcohol sales tax takes effect. Alcohol retailers across the state were reconfiguring their registers Thursday night to prepare for the tax change from 6 percent to 9 percent.
“It’s going to be very difficult,” said Seong No, manager of Fort Washington Liquors in Prince George’s County. No said the process could take hours, while a manager at Corridor Wine & Spirits in Laurel said all his registers needed was a software update.
| Laws that take effect July 1 |
| Virginia |
| • A law that will make the penalty for underage drinking and driving a Class I misdemeanor |
| • A measure that enables people in abusive dating or workplace relationships to file a protective order |
| • A law requiring that state employees pay 5 percent of their salaries into the pension fund, to be offset by a 5 percent raise |
| • A law that allows restaurant-goers to bring their own wine with them, while allowing restaurants to charge a “corkage” fee for patrons who do so |
| Maryland |
| • A state income tax credit for 20 percent of the cost of electric vehicle recharging equipment |
| • Dogs can accompany their owners at outdoor restaurants if the restaurant says its OK |
| • Legalization of direct wine shipments |
| • Alcohol sales tax increase from 6 percent to 9 percent |
| • State workers’ contribution into the state pension fund will increase from 5 percent of their salaries to 7 percent |
The sales tax increase is expected to generate $85 million in the first year, with about $15 million going to services for the developmentally disabled. Other revenue will be divided among public schools in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Baltimore City schools.
On the plus side, for booze drinkers, another new Maryland law allows residents to ship wine directly to their homes.
Across the Potomac, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell ceremonially signed a measure Thursday intended to curb underage drinking and driving.
The law will make the penalty for underage drinking and driving a Class I misdemeanor, which means the violator would lose his license for one year and pay a minimum fine of $500 or perform 50 hours of community service. Previously, the penalty was losing a license for six months and a fine of no more than $500 — meaning the punishment for drinking and driving was less than the penalty for underage possession of alcohol.
People in abusive dating or workplace relationships are now able to file protective orders against the person they fear — a protection formerly offered only to men and women who were related or married. The measure was introduced in 2010, but gained renewed interest after University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love was found beaten to death in May 2010.
Love’s ex-boyfriend, fellow University of Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely, has been charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting trial.
“Obviously, Yeardley Love’s death gave us an additional impetus to get something done this year,” said Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, who carried the bill in the House of Delegates.
Lawmakers in both states approved changes to their pension systems that would require state workers to pay more for the same level of benefits starting Friday.
Maryland increased employee contributions from 5 percent to 7 percent and raised monthly premiums for health insurance from 20 percent to 25 percent. Meanwhile, Virginia state workers hired before July 1, 2010, will go from paying nothing for pension benefits to paying 5 percent of their salaries for benefits. The cost increase will be offset by a 5 percent salary raise for those workers.
