Story Category: Regional News »

In response to your article posted in Friday’s (February 12, 2010) Maryland Independent titled “Seniors group takes on liquor lobby” there is another coalition of Marylanders in dire need of the revenue generated by the proposed $.10 alcohol tax. 

According to the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) over 19,000 children and adults living in the state of Maryland, with intellectual and developmental disabilities are currently on a waiting list to receive support services: Support services like 24 Hour Residential Care for those individuals whose families are unable to care for them, or Community Supported Living Arrangements that provide adults with intellectual and developmental disability the infrastructure needed to live independently and safely. 

Family Support Services, a program that provides families with the resources, guidance and advocacy to care for their child(ren) with disabilities at home.  Out of the 19,000 Marylanders currently on the waiting list, 1,800 of those families and individuals are living among us, in our community. 

Number of Individuals on the Waiting List Number for Southern Maryland
Calvert    Charles    St. Mary’s
412    968   460

The “dime per drink” is estimated to generate over $200 million in new revenue, which would enable the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration to fund the support services needed to support the 19,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on “the list”. 

The current excise tax on beer is $.0084, wine is $.0156 and spirits is $.0716.  Would an extra $.10 really “cost people’s jobs, job, jobs” or would it provide services, services, services to the 1,800 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on “the waiting list” in Southern Maryland?