Dan Onorato Responds To Drink Tax Debate

Allegheny County Council passed a poured drink tax and a car rental tax included in the 2008 budget. Consumers in the county will now pay a 10 percent tax for poured drinks and $2 per day for renting a car.

Both taxes were passed on Tuesday night. The drink tax passed 10-4 with one abstention. The car rental tax passed 11-4.

The revenues from these taxes will help to fund the Port Authority.

Both taxes are expected to go into effect on January 2. Dan Onorato Responds To Drink Tax Debate

VOTE: Do You Support Drink Tax?

Many restaurants were opposed to the tax increase on poured drinks. A rally was held at the Allegheny County Courthouse on Tuesday. Over 45,000 Allegheny County residents signed petitions to stop the tax. They feel that economic development may be harmed as businesses could relocate outside the county.

About 800 employees would have possibly been laid off if the taxes were not approved.

More Details: - Allegheny County Council Web Site - Click here to watch a livestream of Tuesday’s meeting.

Previous Stories: November 30, 2007: Opponents of Drink Tax Release Study on Impact