Discuss “Alcohol may become even more expensive ”

Pennsylvania’s Quaker roots have always made purchasing alcohol a chore. There is no alcohol in grocery stores, beer and liquor are sold in separate stores, and the taxes on alcohol are among the highest in the world. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board subjects alcohol to a 30 percent markup tax, a $1.30 bottle charge, an 18 percent Johnstown flood tax, a “round up” tax, and a 7 percent state sales tax.

Now, Dan Onorato is proposing an additional alcohol tax — a 10 percent poured alcohol tax — throughout Allegheny County in an effort to make up for the deficit affecting Pittsburgh’s public transit. His proposal would yield between $35 and $50 million, which covers the amount needed to keep state funding for public transportation...