Alcohol tax among bill signings on May 19

In a little over a month, Marylanders will be digging deeper into their pockets to pay for beer, wine and liquor, after Gov. Martin O'Malley today signs into law the first tax increase on alcohol in at least a generation.

The sales tax on alcohol will rise from 6 to 9 percent July 1, a move expected to generate $85 million in the next fiscal year.

At the final bill signing ceremony following the 2011 legislative session, other high-profile measures are on deck, including a requirement that a railway disclose its past ties to Nazi, a new classification for energy created by burned trash, slots money for the Maryland horse racing industry and the addition of child neglect as a misdemeanor crime.

A list of all bills to be signed today is available here. Most take effect June 1 or Oct. 1.

Yesterday, O'Malley announced he would veto four bills, largely for technical reasons, and allow three measures to take effect without his signature.

Invest Maryland, electric vehicle proposals and regulations on oyster poaching are among the dozens of bills to be signed today. A livestream feed of the ceremony is available beginning at 11 a.m.

About the author:

Julie Bykowicz has been a reporter at The Baltimore Sun for 10 years. At the paper, she previously focused on criminal justice, juvenile services and legal matters. Julie is now on the state campaign trail, tracking the governor’s race and other major matchups. She lives in Baltimore.