Print
Mar 14, 2008 10:04 pm US/Eastern
Local Officials Look For Alternatives To Drink Tax
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
-
-
Allegheny County Council passed a 10 percent tax on poured drinks that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2008.
KDKA
State lawmakers met with members of Allegheny County Council today to search for alternatives for the County's controversial drink tax.
"At the top of the list was some consideration to change the non-profit act," said State Senator Wayne Fontana, of Brookline.
Next week, officials say a bill will be introduced and would give municipalities additional tools to recover costs with providing essential services where the municipality contains a large amount of tax-exempt property.
The fee would be based on square footage, officials add.
"We're not talking about churches and synagogues, we're talking about the big non-profits," said Rich Fitzgerald, County Council president.
Senator Fontana says he sees such a fee as fairer than taxing bars and restaurants or the car rental tax, but he doesn't expect the big non-profits to see it that way.
But drink tax opponent and restaurateur Tom Baron says he believes it's a start in changing the way the county does business.
"We're greatly encouraged," said Baron. "We think it's just a small dent in the problem and we're hoping that they come up with some real solutions."
Officials say another idea includes shifting money from the state's Johnstown Flood Tax to counties and municipalities.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
