Next year, booze may well cost more. Gov. Paterson is proposing hikes in taxes on a whole assortment of goods, including beer and wine. Booze taxes are levied per gallon, and wine is currently taxed at the rate of 19 cents per gallon in New York. The proposal will raise that to about 51 cents, still below the national median tax rate.
But there is some potential good news - the governor also wants to allow supermarkets to sell wine.
But there is some potential good news - the governor also wants to allow supermarkets to sell wine.
This would take the number of outlets statewide from 2,400 to over
20,000. 35 states already allow this and we have clearly been behind
the times booze-wise for a long time. However much you and I (or the
supermarkets) like this idea, there is a hurdle. The liquor stores
themselves.
You see, they want the supermarket prohibition. Otherwise, they are at a competitive disadvantage. Of course, the option might be to allow liquor stores to sell other products like food. Another option is to allow multiple operations under the same license - right now owners need a separate license for each location, effectively meaning there are few chains operating in the market. However, it seems likely that liquor itself would still only be sold in liquor stores.
One thing is for certain - expect a booze battle royale in Albany next spring.
You see, they want the supermarket prohibition. Otherwise, they are at a competitive disadvantage. Of course, the option might be to allow liquor stores to sell other products like food. Another option is to allow multiple operations under the same license - right now owners need a separate license for each location, effectively meaning there are few chains operating in the market. However, it seems likely that liquor itself would still only be sold in liquor stores.
One thing is for certain - expect a booze battle royale in Albany next spring.
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