District 3 Councilor Frank Baker and Boston City Council President Bill Linehan said the money from the tax would be used for prevention, recovery and intervention services for residents of Boston.
The proposed tax could raise as much as $20 million. However, some liquor store owners in Boston are afraid the proposed tax could drive away their business.
One liquor store owner said that he thinks he will end up losing one-third of his business to other stores located outside the city, if the proposal passes. A public hearing on the proposal has been scheduled for Wednesday.
It was back in February when the two councilors filed paperwork on the proposal. If it passes, the tax will be charged on all alcohol sales in Boston, and this includes alcohol sold in restaurants, supermarkets, taverns and bars.
Linehan said that there are thousands of people who are afflicted by drug addiction and alcohol addiction. He added that many of them do not work and they are a burden on the public. He believes helping them out and getting them sober and helping them become productive citizens is an opportunity to save public money.
Linehan said that when addicts get straightened out, then there’s no more demands from them for free hospital services, as well as shelter. He added that they would start paying taxes when they got jobs.
