IT SOON COULD COST YOU A NICKEL MORE TO HAVE A GLASS OF WINE, A COCKTAIL, OR A BEER. THE NEW MEXICO SENATE ON SUNDAY APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW ALL COUNTIES IN THE STATE TO IMPOSE A LOCAL LIQUOR EXCISE TAX TO FINANCE PROGRAMS TO TREAT AND PREVENT ALCOHOLISM. ONLY MCKINLEY COUNTY CAN LEVY SUCH A TAX RIGHT NOW, AND SUPPORTERS SAY ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS HAVE GONE DOWN THERE.
THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE ON A 27-14 VOTE AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE. THE TAX COULD GENERATE ALMOST 44-MILLION DOLLARS IF ALL COUNTIES IMPOSE THE TAX.
