In a sign that New York state senators have way too much time on their hands, Sen. James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) is pushing a bill to make a handful of small towns abandon their post-Prohibition bans on booze.
Actually, it’s worse: His rationale is selling alcohol will boost the towns’ economies — i.e., it’s for their own good.
Surely they can decide that for themselves, with no “help” from Albany.
Skoufis’ bill would repeal a 1934 law that let towns choose for themselves after the nationwide ban ended; only seven, all with 2,000 or fewer people, still have total prohibitions.
Yet anyone who has a problem with driving an extra 20 minutes to hit the liquor store has surely opted to live elsewhere.
This is petty, arrogant and intolerant — just the kind of nanny-state nonsense that many flee to small communities to avoid.
But then, Skoufis is a loyal modern Democrat: He doubtless figures it means a bit more tax revenue for the state, too.