Revenue

Under The Dome:

The House Finance Committee adopted a $784 million tax package designed to mitigate the deep budget cuts in the House’s budget proposal.

House members shaved $154 million from the proposed $940 million tax plan by removing “sin” taxes on beer, wine and cigarettes.

Republicans tried unsuccessfully to weaken the tax package. Democrats were the ones who successfully proposed removing the “sin” taxes from the roster.

“We got folks who are barely scrimping by as it is. Beer may be their only entertainment,” said Rep. Bill Faison, an Orange County Democrat who proposed removing beer from the tax package.