Drink Tax Revenues Pour In

The first numbers are coming in on the new drink tax in Allegheny County. Treasurer John Weinstein told DUQ News that at the end of Monday they had received forms and money from 1,020 of the 2,200 liquor license holders in the county. They collected about $1.7 million and he expects the remainder of the bars and restaurants to submit their forms by Thursday or Friday. Weinstein says although the participation rate has been "pretty good" so far about 30% of the forms that have been processed were filled out incorrectly. Weinstein is an opponent of the 10% tax on poured alcoholic drinks and says revenues to subsidize mass transit could have been generated in a better manner. But Weinstein says it is the law and failure to comply can result in fines and possible jail time.