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Miller Says Lawmakers Working On Alcohol Tax

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller says lawmakers are working on how to impose an increase in Maryland's alcohol tax.

Miller told reporters Tuesday he believes an increase will be approved, but it won't be nearly as large as supporters initially wanted.

Miller says an important consideration will be to keep Maryland competitive with neighboring states and whether the tax is imposed at the excise tax level or retail tax level.

Miller, (D) Calvert, also says a top priority will be to restore some of the $94 million in proposed reductions for schools. Health advocates have been pushing to raise about $215 million a year by the tax increase. But Miller says it will end up being "much less" than $100 million annually.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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