For years now Gov. Patterson has been instilling in our heads that New York is in a deficit. He
withheld state tax refunds and proposed many other taxes, such as the "Fat Tax" that didn't pass. However,
the wine community is proposing a new solution. They want to be allowed to sell wine in grocery stores,
which could raise more than $300 million.
This could be one factor in helping to balance out what New York State has been spending and
boost the economy in our local region. The Finger Lakes takes pride in the wines that are produced here,
so why not let people support the local companies without the hassle of having to make a separate trip to a
liquor store.
Another thing they can do is raise the tax on the alcohol that people buy. Right now the tax on
wine is 30 cents a gallon. The government could even double that amount and people would still buy it.
There are some many different solutions for the government to raise money without increasing the
state tax. This would not only be helping the government bring in more state tax revenue, but also help the
independent companies who are still in New York and giving people jobs.
Denise Bilbow
