Those bottles of booze may cost more if you’re buying in Boston.
Credit: Nicolaus Czarnecki/Metro
That six pack or bottle of wine could cost a little more if City Councilor Bill Linehan’s recent petition is successful.
Linehan, the new Boston City Council president, recently filed a home rule petition that seeks to impose a local 6.25 percent tax on the sale of alcohol at liquor stores. The petition will have to be referred to a City Council committee and be voted on before being sent to the state legislature for approval.
“The neighborhoods in the city of Boston are experiencing the adverse effects of substance abuse and addictions, which lead to an increase in crime,” Linehan wrote in his petition.
Revenues from the tax would help fund substance abuse prevention and treatment programs in the city, Linehan proposed.
Linehan did not return a message left with his office.
State lawmakers imposed the sales tax on alcohol in 2009 when it was increased from 5 percent to 6.25 percent.
A year later, a statewide ballot initiative to repeal the sales tax on liquor store sales was successful.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.
