By Bob Katzen

The Revenue Committee held a hearing on a bill that would allow cities and towns to impose a local sales tax of up to two percent on alcoholic beverages sold at retail, bars or at restaurants. Municipalities that choose to impose the local tax would be required to use the revenue generated for substance abuse prevention and for protecting the public health.

“There is tremendous unmet need for substance use disorder treatment in every community in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “This bill would enable interested cities and towns to expand their addiction and public health programming to meet that need.”