Idaho Cuts Treatment Funding, Eyes Alcohol Tax Increase

Funding for addiction treatment will fall from $30 million in 2010 to $28.7 million in 2011 under a new state budget plan, and state lawmakers are considering raising taxes on beer and wine to help pay for treatment services, the Idaho Statesman reported March 9.

Funding for treatment now comes from the state general fund, its Millennium Fund, and the Office of Drug Policy.

State Rep. Wendy Jaquet proposed raising taxes on beer and wine as an additional revenue stream, although state lawmakers have shot down the idea as recently as the last legislative session.