City councilors Bill Linehan (South Boston, South End, Chinatown) and Frank Baker (Dorchester) will try for legislative approval to let Boston charge up to a 2% tax on sales of alcohol in local liquor stores and restaurants as a way to curb substance abuse in the city.
The two will ask the council tomorrow to start the ball rolling on their proposal, which they say would not only help alcoholics and addicts but the city as a whole by reducing the amount of crime related to substance abuse.
If the rest of the council agrees, a council committee will hold a hearing on the proposal, after which the council would vote on it.
The council's regular Wednesday session begins at noon in its fifth-floor chambers in City Hall.
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 Alcohol sales tax proposal | 36.08 KB |
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Comments
Tax is biased but the problem is not.
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 1:20pm
This problem impacts all citizens in the city. Why would we pay a tax on 1 thing that not all citizens purchase be the way to handle this? Not to mention, a 2% increase is huge.
How about using all the money
By mariac
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 1:25pm
How about using all the money the DEA gets from drug lords being busted? Or, even putting all the money nabbed from drug dealers selling opiates and cocaine as well? Or luxury vehicles they are driving? They are the ones feeding the opiate and heroin problem, not owners of liquor stores!!!!!!!
Taxe increases = help for alcoholics and addicts AND less crime?
By RozzieKid
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 1:30pm
Well, shit! I didn't know government could solve these problems so easily with a simple tax increase. Why stop at 2%? Maybe we can solve poverty and end hunger if we tax more!
Sweden
By cybah
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 2:12pm
Just look at Sweden and other nordic countries to see how a very high tax rate has solved many problems. Isn't it something obnoxious like a 45% tax rate? but then again schools are free, transit is nearly free, better roads, better healthcare..
Not in favor of more taxes but they must be doing something right if they keep doing it and the citizens are happy with the results.
Just saying...
They also have homogeneous
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 2:41pm
They also have homogeneous populations and OIL MONEY
Not only
By MattyC
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 2:49pm
Not only do the Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark have some of the highest taxes in the world, but they also have some of the happiest people in the world. And nobody complains when the government spends money on a project for the public good.
Me? Personally? I'll take the cash, thanks. I'm pretty happy. But if you can tell me that you'll fix the T or the roads with some more gas tax? I'd pay for that. There's a happy middle. Right now we're on the unhappy cusp.
The have the highest suicide
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 3:25pm
The have the highest suicide rates in the world and highest rates of anti-depressant use too. Very high rate of violence against women as well compared to the rest of Western Europe and the US.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/scand...
I believe that claim of
By Patricia
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 3:54pm
I believe that claim of happiness has been debunked:
.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/scandinavian-miracle-brutal-truth-denmark-norway-sweden
Also NPR did a thing on it as well.
I would not call that a
By MattyC
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 3:58pm
I would not call that a debunking, rather a tongue-in-cheek rebuttal, by a Brit, for comedic value.
http://www.prosperity.com/#!/ranking
I think they should add a 2%
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 3:26pm
I think they should add a 2% tax on cell phone plans to fund victims of driving while texting/calling, and a 2% tax on parking spaces to fund victims of space saver rage.
You should run for state or
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 8:24pm
You should run for state or local office. You would get my vote!
How about proposing a 4-year
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 7:53pm
How about proposing a 4-year term instead of the current 2-year term for Boston City Council seats which Andrew Cousino suggested in 2013. This would save thecity of Boston over a half a million dollars which could be used for substance abuse, public safety, schools, or snow removal.
Andrew Cousino for At-Large
By anon
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 10:33pm
Andrew Cousino for At-Large Boston City Council 2015!!!!!!!!
How about
By bosguy22
Wed, 02/25/2015 - 9:21am
A 15% budget cut for Council staffers?
Tax scratch tickets
By Markk02474
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 10:38pm
There are people addicted to them, so tax scratchies.
They already are taxed
By SwirlyGrrl
Tue, 02/24/2015 - 10:39pm
In fact, they pretty much are a tax.
Taxed Enough Already
By anon
Wed, 02/25/2015 - 2:40pm
Here we go again. I have to pay more because others make bad life choices? I don't think so. No more taxes. What is it with these Democrats and their 'tax hikes on working people will solve all of societies ills' fetish. Hands off our wallets. You are already taking enough out of our paychecks.
What if they make your paychecks bigger?
By Kaz
Wed, 02/25/2015 - 3:21pm
Then would you be willing to pay more to live in that society?
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