Montgomery Councilmember Trachtenberg To Speak at March 3 Rally in Annapolis in Support of Increasing Maryland Alcohol Tax

Proposed 10 cent Per Drink Increase Would Support Addiction Treatment Programs and Persons with Mental Illnesses

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 2, 2010—Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) on Wednesday, March 3, will join a broad coalition of human services, health care and business groups in Annapolis to urge an increase in the tax the state imposes on alcohol. Revenue from the proposed 10-cent per drink increase would be dedicated to funding services for people with alcohol and substance addictions, developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and health care for the uninsured.

The rally urging support of the increase will be held at noon, at Lawyers Mall, in front of the State House. Councilmember Trachtenberg, who chairs the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, and is a member of its Health and Human Services Committee, will speak at the event. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett will be one of several expected guests.

Maryland has not increased its tax on wine and beer since 1972 or its tax on liquor and spirits since 1955. Maryland taxes on these beverages are the fourth lowest among the 50 states.

According to an Opinion Works poll, released this week by the Maryland Chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 72 percent of responding Marylanders said they would support the increase. Budget reductions taken by the state’s Board of Public Works since the start of the 2010 fiscal year have reduced funding for addiction treatment and prevention by $4.7 million across the state. Hundreds of treatment slots have been lost and dozens of people have been laid off.

“As chair of the County Council’s MFP Committee that oversees many of the County’s budget issues, no one is more familiar with the budget dilemma faced by the state and local governments than I am,” said Councilmember Trachtenberg. “That is why this proposal makes so much sense. The impact on a consumer of an additional 10 cents per drink is negligible. However, collectively, the revenue raised will have a major impact on the people who need the services that will be supported by this measure. The state has not changed this tax in decades. Now is the right time to do it.”

The revenue raised will support the unmet needs of people with developmental disabilities and mental health problems, and support programs dedicated to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. It will additionally fund health care access for childless adults.

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Montgomery Council Unanimously Approves Expanded Uses of Drug Forfeiture Funds Bill

Montgomery Council Unanimously Approves Expanded Uses of Drug Forfeiture Funds Bill 35-09, Whose Chief Sponsor Was Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Will Allow Money Seized From Drug Criminals To Be Used for Drug Treatment and Prevention Programs

ROCKVILLE, Md., November 17, 2009—The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved Expedited Bill 35-09 that will allow money seized from criminals convicted of drug-related crimes to be used for drug treatment and prevention programs. The bill, whose chief sponsor was Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, was co-sponsored by Council President Phil Andrews, Council Vice President Roger Berliner and Councilmembers Marc Elrich, George Leventhal and Nancy Navarro.

The bill amends current law that restricts the use of Drug Enforcement Forfeiture Funds to “expenses related to enforcement of laws regarding controlled dangerous substances.”

The Drug Enforcement Forfeitures Fund (DEFF) contains money that is forfeited to the County under state law as drug-related contraband. The fund includes cash and the proceeds of the sale of real and personal property seized during drug enforcement actions. The DEFF had a balance of $2,686,145 at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2009 and had approximately $2.3 million at the beginning of FY10.

Councilmember Trachtenberg, who chairs the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee and serves on its Health and Human Services Committee, said a change in the law regarding how forfeited funds could be spent will be important as the County continues to face budget shortfalls that are impacting programs, such as drug prevention and drug treatment programs.

“Drug prevention and treatment programs, and the operation of the Drug Court, are important parts of a successful campaign to reduce the use of controlled dangerous substances,” said Councilmember Trachtenberg. “Recent severe shortfalls in County revenue make it important to look for alternative sources to fund these critical programs. It is hard to think of a better use of money seized from drug offenders than to allocate it toward people who want help for their drug-related problems.”

Allocating DEFF funds for drug treatment and prevention programs will increase the non-tax supported alternative funding available for these critical programs.

“This is a timely and most appropriate use of these funds,” said Council President Andrews. “At a time when we are forced to make difficult fiscal decisions, it is essential that critical programs such as rehabilitating drug offenders continue to have adequate funding.”

Expedited Bill 35-09 also will require quarterly reporting to the Council on the DEFF revenue and expenses. The Council is responsible for appropriating the funds in the DEFF. Regular reports will provide important information to help the Council in appropriating these funds in the most effective way.

The quarterly reports on the fund, which will be made by the Police Department, will include an update on the current balance in the fund, information on recent deposits from forfeitures and details on recent expenditures from the fund.

“This legislation is another example of good government,” said Council Vice President Berliner. “We need to carefully manage our scarce resources—now more than ever—and this bill is a step in the right direction.”

In September, the Montgomery County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Advisory Council (AODAAC) unanimously adopted a motion in support of what has evolved to become Expedited Bill 35-09. The resolution read: “Whereas addiction treatment is crime prevention, therefore be it resolved that the Montgomery County Drug Enforcement Forfeiture Fund regulations be amended to include as an authorized use of funds ‘drug abuse treatment and prevention services.’”