By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Troy King says state law does not give a dry county authority to levy a tax on businesses selling alcoholic beverages in that county's wet towns. Jackson County Commission Chair James Tidmore presented copies of King's opinion at Monday's commission meeting. The commission agreed to Tidmore's request to seek the opinion in September after learning that no dry county in the state levies such a tax. Bridgeport, Scottsboro and Stevenson are the only towns in Jackson County where alcohol can be sold. Tidmore said that revenue from a tax on businesses selling alcoholic beverages could help pay for a raise for county employees that took effect last fall. King's opinion was issued last Wednesday.