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NEWS BRIEFS
Manchin won’t veto beer tax hike
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Gov. Joe Manchin says he’s willing to sign a bill increasing the tax on beer if lawmakers can get it passed.
Upshur County Republican Delegate Bill Hamilton introduced a bill Monday that would hike the tax by four cents. An earlier bill would increase it by a penny.
Hamilton and other lawmakers want the money from the tax hike to pay for substance abuse treatment and prevention.
In the fall, Manchin said he supports finding money for a comprehensive substance abuse plan even though a tight budget means very little new spending.
Getting a bill to his desk might not be easy, though. A similar measure failed last year, and lawmakers are traditionally reluctant to raise taxes in an election year.
