ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland House of Delegates approved a measure that would increase the state’s sales tax on alcohol by 50 percent in July, and the bill now goes to the Senate for final approval.
The Senate already approved an increase to the alcohol sales tax, which is currently set at 6 percent. In the Senate’s version, the increase, up to 9 percent, would be phased in over the course of three years.
The House version of the bill, however, would enact the 9-percent rate — adding roughly 30 cents to every $10 of alcohol — in July.
Monday is the final day of the 2011 General Assembly session, and lawmakers are scrambling to finish before the midnight deadline.
