Health advocates to talk about alcohol tax proceeds

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland health officials are highlighting a new emphasis on supporting home and community-based, long-term care with the help of last year's increase in the state's alcohol tax.  
 
Health advocates are scheduled to talk about the development on Wednesday in Baltimore.
 
The state has included $14.3 million in the fiscal year that began this month expand community-based services.
 
In the first 11 months since it went into effect, Maryland's 50 percent increase in the alcohol tax has raised about $68.6 million. It's expected to raise about $75 million for the first year, shy of the $85 million projected when the bill was passed in 2011.
 
Most of the money is now set aside for health-related initiatives, including aid for the developmentally disabled.