May 5 - MD - Baltimore Proposes Tax on Beverage Containers as Means to Raise Revenue for City

A proposal in Baltimore, Maryland to impose a 4-cent tax on beverage containers passed the city's Taxation Finance Committee on May 3. 

The tax would be imposed on distributors of all beverage containers with an excemption for milk and related products, beverages wtih 10% natural fruit juice, and any beverage in a container of 2 liters or larger.  The tax is expected to generate $11.4 million in revenue to help cut the city's budget deficit.

Baltimore's proposal falls on the heels of legislation recently introduced in Delaware that would create a 4-cent tax on non-aluminous beverage containers for 4 years. 

The proposal will be heard by the full Baltimore City Council in the next few weeks. 

Read the text of the proposal.

Read an article.