09 February 2010

Legislature 2010: Sin Taxes & Substance Abuse

Gov. Joe Manchin says he won't veto a beer tax hike meant to fund substance abuse programs, The Associated Press reports.

Delegates from both parties have co-sponsored a pair of bills seeking to increase the tax, which has equaled $5.50 for a 31-gallon barrel since 1966, lawmakers said.

"The latest bill would increase that to $22, or by four cents per bottle or can," the article said. "The other beer tax bill, reintroduced Feb. 1 from last year's session, would add a penny to the price of each bottle or can by hiking the tax to $11 per barrel."

The co-sponsors plan to seek similar increases for wine and liquor.

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