Md. Senate panel sets hearing on alcohol tax bill, measure would add 3 percent levy on drinks

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland senators have scheduled a hearing Wednesday on a measure that would add a sales tax for beer, wine and liquor, similar to the one D.C. levies.

Sen. Verna Jones-Rodwell, D-Baltimore, introduced a proposal Monday night which would phase in a new tax on alcohol sales and raise $90 million for the cash-strapped state.

The proposal would add one percentage point a year on top of the state sales tax over three years until drinkers pay 9 percent to the state whenever they imbibe.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, who has said he expects the tax to pass his chamber, called the proposal "modest."