BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Paying a little more for a beer or glass of wine could help double the services offered for people suffering with alcohol and drug addiction. But are New Yorkers already taxed enough?
Down-state democrat Mike DenDekker sponsored the Addiction, Prevention, and Recovery Act to double the tax on alcohol. An additional $260 million dollars a year would be put into a separate fund that will go directly to creating services for people fighting alcohol and drug addiction.
"It's not a tax to collect revenue," Dendekker said,"I'm just trying to get more services to people who need it."
The consumer may or may not see an increase directly. Alcohol manufacturers will see the increased tax per gallon depending on the kind of liquor and then it will be up to the restaurant if they increase their prices.
For an average beer a consumer could see a $0.03 increase, for a glass of wine $0.02, and a shot $0.10.
"I believe it could make the strongest impact statement to the citizens of the state that we are very serious about addiction about the lives we lost," Dendekker said.
The increase of taxes could take effect a year from now if it makes its way through Albany.
