Anchorage residents will pay more for a drink or a bottle of wine if voters approve an alcohol tax on the April ballot.
The Berkowitz administration proposed the retail tax as a way to pay for social services involving the homeless. Unlike the state, the city can dedicate funds for a specific purpose, explained Berkowitz chief of staff Ona Brause. She said money raised from the tax could not be used to fund general government.
“This is a quality of life issue for the entire city,” Brause said. “These funds are dedicated with specific language limiting it to public health and public safety issues relating to homelessness, alcohol and substance misuse, treatment, prevention and behavioral programs.” Read more here.