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Friday, November 16, 2012

Alcohol Industry Blames Flat Sales In Md. On 9% Tax

Representatives from the alcohol industry told the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates Wednesday that the state’s year-old 9% sales tax on alcoholic beverages has produced stagnant growth in liquor sales in the past year, while growth in neighboring Virginia and Delaware was above the national average.

Banking and real estate panelists also speaking at the board’s economic advisory forum said state and federal regulations will hinder potential private sector growth as the federal fiscal cliff approaches. The board is composed of the state treasurer, comptroller and secretary of budget and management.

David Ozgo, chief economist for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, said the sale of distilled spirits in Maryland has grown just two-tenths of a percent in the past year, well below the national average of 3.1%.

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think every one of us in the entire state, especially we who live a stone's throw from the bordering states knew this would happen a year ago when it went into effect! NOW we get to say, "We told you so!" Hey, O'smelly, Why not raise regular sales tax another two cents to make up for it?!!!! What a doofus.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it nice to see all these democratic policies are working so wonderfully! When are the voters going to wise up? The policy of taxing and taxing more does not work-PERIOD. Just the other day lawmakers in Annapolis got the news that there's not much money left for bridge/road repairs. Bet that gets passed on to the counties just like teachers pensions. Then the counties are going to have to hold their hands out to the towns and cities who will very shortly go broke also. That's how it works. It's common sense.
Keep on voting in the tax and spend spend spend crowd though-their sooo smart-LOL! They talk a real good game and you all fall for it. Fools on Parade. The whole while the Sussex county liquor merchants are laughing at the feebleminded Marylanders.

Scott said...

Haven't bought alcohol in Maryland since the Tax increase. I buy mine in Delaware now. Same distance, and not as expensive. Since the sales tax increase, I buy any big ticket item over 1 hundred dollars in Delaware. Maryland has hurt themselves with the tax increases.
I even buy my groceries there now! To hell with O'Malley and the Maryland state government! I shop for Clothing and Shoes in PA as well! No Tax on Clothing!

Anonymous said...

I live in Delmar Md, 1 mile from the St. line. Any buying available on the Delaware side is where I go. I will never buy alcohol in Md again. A 30 pack of my favorite beer is 16.00 in Del, and 17.43 in Md.

Anonymous said...

6:52 Ditto, same for me. now they can lay off workers in Md liquor stores and keep driving Md economy in the dirt. I would bet DE is pleased with O'Malley's 9% tax. Would bet MD's surrounding states sales are better than the national average of 3.1%.

Anonymous said...

They would love to some how blame it on the economy but can't since DE's sales are up. I've noticed that there are always quite a few MD tags at the Lowe's in Millsboro and sometimes it's almost all MD tags in the parking lot. I think if you live in Northern Wor Co it's the same distance to Millsboro as to Salisbury, of course people are going to shop in DE.

Anonymous said...

6:52.....you nailed it!

Anonymous said...

The tax on liquor should be 100 per cent. You heathens. Liquor sales should be banned totally. True Christians would stand up and speak. This country is not what it used to be.