From: The BayNet
Comptroller Franchot responds to Senate Bill 703 introduction
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In an unprecedented and unsubstantiated political maneuver, Senator Ben Kramer (D-19 Montgomery Co.) has filed legislation, Senate Bill 703, that would strip the Comptroller of Maryland of existing authority to regulate the alcohol, motor fuel and tobacco industries. For more than 168 years, since 1851, the office of the Maryland Comptroller has overseen tax collection and managed fiscal affairs for the State of Maryland. Below is a statement from Comptroller Peter Franchot about the introduction of Senate Bill 703:
***
“In 2007, I took my Oath of Office for the first time as the 33rd Comptroller of Maryland. Since that time our Field Enforcement Division has been responsible for the seizure of more than:
- 2 million packs of contraband cigarettes
- 1.4 million packages of other tobacco products
- 3,400 gallons of illegal distilled spirits
- 2,000 gallons of illegal wine
- 85,000 containers of contraband beer
“This, in addition to more than $9 million in sales and use tax collected from businesses that was previously uncollected. This is an extraordinary record of success demonstrating best practices by our nationally recognized Field Enforcement team.
