Booze Getting Tax Boost?

Here comes state budget time and that means you'll likely have to pay more for booze in New York State. The dysfunctional folks in Albany are once again trying to raise taxes on beer, wine and liquor. The Daily News reports that beer taxes may go up $.10 a bottle and wine $.50. These are the excise taxes on the alcohol itself, not to be confused with the sales tax you pay when you buy the booze, which basically means we are paying double tax. Double tax for poor representation, just another benefit of living in good ole New York.

At least they are still trying to get wine in liquor stores. That plan fizzled last year though Gov. Patterson wants to revive it. Perhaps he'll even bump up his approval ratings - Crain's reports that 58% of New Yorkers want the option to buy wine in grocery stores.