Mass. New Taxes Panned by the Critics

The Boston Globe reports:

John Harrington knows off the top of his head how much a proposed tax increase will raise prices on some of his best-selling products.

“Kendall-Jackson, a popular Chardonnay, is $11.95 now, so it’ll be about another 75 cents,’’ said Harrington, for more than 40 years the proprietor of Harrington Wine and Liquors in Chelmsford. “Ketel One vodka costs $38 for 1.75 liters, so it’ll cost more than a couple of bucks more for a bottle.’’

Consumers will be hit with an array of new taxes to help fund a state budget for the next fiscal year, under a plan the Legislature approved yesterday.

With the state desperate for money amid shrinking revenues, drinkers would pay a 6.25 percent tax - currently they pay nothing - on beer and wine from liquor stores. A $75 dinner tab at your favorite restaurant will cost another 94 cents, plus an additional 56 cents if your city or town elects to impose an optional local meals tax.