Increased Liquor Tax Fails to Move Forward in Wyoming House

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A bill calling for a tax increase on liquor failed to move forward in the Wyoming House, indicating a climate unlikely to support the two remaining tax proposals.

The bill that would have increased the liquor tax from 17.6 percent to 20.6 percent failed to be introduced to the House in a 38-22 vote Wednesday.

The state would have received less than $3 million per year under the increased liquor tax, which Republican Rep. Mike Madden had framed as a wholesale liquor markup that intended to cover the costs of delivery and processing.

Lawmakers had voiced concerns that the liquor markup was just a roundabout way of passing a tax increase.

Legislation on statewide tax increases for tobacco and lodging are awaiting introduction votes.