The quest to rebate more rum-tax revenues to the territory reached another milestone Thursday evening as the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to increase the tax cap from $10.50 to $13.25 per proof gallon, Delegate Donna M. Christian-Christensen announced.
The bill was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 418 to 2, according to a release from the delegate's office.
The measure would increase the present law's rum cover-over rate for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands retroactive to July 1, 1999, and through Dec. 31, 2001.
Christensen said she was very pleased by the final outcome of the House version of the bill following a strong show of support from many of her fellow Democrats and Republicans.
"This is just the good news that we need in the midst of what Hurricane Lenny has brought us," Christiansen said. She credited Sen. Trent Lott and President Clinton for their support in the House approval of the bill, which now goes to the U.S. Senate for a final vote.
