Not shocking that the bill will provide the majority of the money to PG and the City, they elected Marty O. I guess the rest of the state doesn't exist, with funding needs. Keep voting Blue!

Thank you Delegates! If this bill passes, our school system needs and should get some of those funds. PG County Schools just got hit with a $4 million judgment against it plus more than a $1 million in punitive damages. I don't think for one minute that the tax revenues earned in Baltimore County won't be going to that at the expense of Baltimore County students. Our students have futures that need to be protected too. Thank you for your efforts.

What will it take for these people to realize that more taxes in one of the country's already MOST taxed states is NOT THE ANSWER!!! How long before 1, 2, 3% percent tax hikes here there and everywhere adds up to 100%?

I guess our delegates dont read the fine print I heard where the money was going before they took the vote I am happy it was posted who voted for and who voted against. It doesnt take a genius to figure out who I will be voting against this coming election.

Thanks once again for those "wonderful" Democrats screwing up Maryland taxpayers, yet again. Their philosophy is to solve all problems with taxes. They don't quite understand that when people are taxed, they are unable to put more money into the economy. More money in the economy helps on so many levels. And now to find out that this hefty alcohol tax is really only going to benefit 2 jurisdictions just verifies the incompetent legislators running this state. We need to get NEW people in there who understand what it's like to live "out here"!

This is why Jennifer's thinking, like so many liberals, is destroying our state: First, the reason the money is going to those two jurisdictions is because it's a payback to the Dems who re-elected our incompetent governor from PG and the city. It's not because they need the money the most. Second, throwing yet more money into failing city schools, which already receive more than any other jurisdiction in the state, is a crime. The money will not solve the problems of the city schools, that's already being proved out.

It isn't a partisan thing, while admittedly Maryland has had an extra long run of one party.

That's what politicians do, they throw a pile of money at a problem ( whether the money is there or not) and then walk away expecting all to be well. The problem is that the money never makes it to the target.
It is usually sucked up by the bloated administration in the for of "deputies" and assistant to the deputy to the assistant to the director... Again, not as liberal or conservative thing, a political thing. We can't keep finger pointing and name calling, we have to sit on top of ALL of these people and treat them like irresponsible teenagers, because that is how they are acting. If you still insist on making this a partisan issue, then show me the last thing ANY republican has done to shrink government or reduce taxes that wasn't at the expense of the citizenry.

The longer we standby and allow this to happen with voices unheard, it will soon become the "new normal". Gas prices rise with the daily commute to and from work, and Annapolis wants to raise the gas tax as well. O'malley says our tax code needs to be modernized, which to me equates to higher taxes overall. Not to mention Slots, Marylanders have hemorrhaged millions over state lines for years, and why. Merely because the impetus for slots was introduced by a republican governor in a democratically held state house. Democrats, via entitlement programs, expand their voter base. Its time to take America back, we can't afford 4 more years!

@eaglei218...Spot on...I believe we've achieved the 'new normal" here in Maryland, a sustained practice of putting the burden on the taxpayer to 'carry the water' for all. By ALL, I mean those that are particularly the burdensome folks...and before I get my "hateful" responses...they are NOT the poor and or underprivileged, I'm speaking of the power politicians that rely on the guaranteed voting block that support them. A cycle, until broken will continue to be used to keep them in power. The prescription is worse than the disease.

The increase in dollars that is being allocated to Baltimore City Public Schools is not a kick back or extra dollars. This is money that Baltimore City Public Schools receives from the State for education funding just as Baltimore County and every county receives money from the state for education aid. The $12 million increase is due to a calculation error in regard to Baltimore City's maintenance of effort. The additional $12 million for children living in Baltimore City arrived late in the budget, after the Governor introduced his budget. The $12 million deficiency has to be made up somewhere. Why not alcohol tax. Its a tax that hasn't been increased in more than 30 years. On its face the tax needs to be revisted. The money is required by state law. Increasing the tax and paying what is owed legally through the same formula that funds county schools is appropriate. To the extent the the County school system is cutting schools and growing its central office administration. I think people should be upset by that and I think they should focus on letting the school system know where the education funding priorities should be; at the school house. This is a red herring folks. Pay attention to what is happening in your district and support the idea that every child in Maryland County or City have the right to an education.

Hold on a minute, just because a tax has'nt gone up in percentage doesn't mean it should. The cost of alcohol has gone up so the revenue has as well. If the government cannot live within it's means it cannot simply raised percentage points on taxation to cover its debt. That money as well as other MUST come from other sources or things must be cut to maker it happen. And there are plenty of places ( including inside the school system) where that can and should happen. This kind of thinking is what is killing the middle class of Maryland and the US. How kind of you to give the government permission to take more of my money.

WOW so the city is entitled to the money I work for?? How do you figure that? The city government has a ridiculous tax rate and has chased tax payers out of the city for years. Why should those that do not live there or benefit form the city, receive ONE single city service have to pay for the mistakes made by city government and voters? Perhaps the city needs to figure out a way to finance itself so that the entire state does not have to pay for their irresponsible government. As far as the state I repeat, they already get way more of my tax money than those who are comparable to my situation in other states. By the way this tax doesn't just burden those who like to drink, it will cost business and those who work in liquor stores, bars and the makers of the product in the first place, just like the city they will be chasing away tax revenue by further over taxing. You may wish to turn this into a " its your option to drink or not" issue, but it goes much deeper. Our government will not stop mending their ways by taxing us ( be it on alcohol, or other ). It won't stop here. And at this point dumping money into a hole ( aka Baltimore City). I pay my bills and live within my means, but that may change as the state keeps using its citizens as ATMs. Perhaps cutting many bloated state and city entitlement programs and sticking to the 5 or 6 things government is supposed to do would be a good start.

Buy up your booze before the alcohol tax increase of 6% to 9% on July 1! Anybody got some extra storage space
for lease? So, the same day our Governor signed this bill, he also placed his signature on a bill classifying
incinerated trash as renewable energy. Well, w/ all the garbage that spews from Annapolis surely that could be
incinerated & used for renewable energy.