Democrats want to help smooth over Delaware’s budget problems by raising the state’s vice taxes.
Beer aficionados, wannabe sommeliers, smokers and those who enjoy vaping could all pay more starting in the next few months.
Top Democrats introduced two bills recently to hike taxes on all alcohol and tobacco products.
George H.W. Bush was president the last time the General Assembly raised fees for beer and wine in 1990, while taxes on spirits were cut in 1997.
The cigarette tax would increase by 50 cents a pack – half of what Gov. John Carney (D) proposed in March.
Vape juice would also be included under Delaware’s tax code for the first time. The state would charge businesses five cents for each milliliter of liquid – something they had been lobbying for for months.
In all, both taxes would raise about $19 million for the upcoming year and $27 million in fiscal year 2019.
No Republicans have signed on to support either bill.
