l****z
发帖数: 29846 | 1 By KENNETH GARGER and CARL CAMPANILE
Posted: 5:16 PM, December 3, 2012
We’ll lift a pint to this.
Gov. Cuomo today shot down a state health panel’s sobering proposals to
increase taxes on booze, slash the number of new bars and liquor stores and
limit the hours of gin joints.
“The governor doesn’t support raising this tax, or the other measures,”
said state Health Department spokesman Bill Schwarz.
The rejection from Cuomo’s office came hours after The Post reported that
the New York State Health and Health Planning Council was pushing the
drastic proposal in its five-year “Prevention Agenda” for 2013-2017.
But State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah will request that the anti-
booze provisions be dropped from the panel’s plan during a scheduled vote
on Thursday because they are “contrary” to Cuomo’s position.
Bar patrons yesterday said they were happy the recommendations were going
down the drain.
“It’s insane!” said Michael Clancy, 41, an executive chef who quaffed a
pint of stout Spikehill Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
“It seems like they’re feeding off small businesses all the time. I don’t
think it would work for them to reduce the amount of alcohol people will
drink. Look at the prohibition period.”
The Distilled Spirits Council said the proposals were “completely out of
line” with Cuomo’s campaign to promote New York’s breweries, wineries and
distilleries.
Scott Wexler of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association praised
Cuomo for taking a “ measured” and “sober” approach to health policy.
The Scrooge-like recommendations were also DOA in the state Legislature.
“It’s not a time to raise taxes,” said Deputy Senate Majority Leader Tom
Libous (R-Binghamton). |
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