Muddied revenue streams
RECENTLY WE have had two interesting proposals on Beacon Hill. First, we can bail out the poorly planned state healthcare law by increasing the cigarette tax - and presumably hope more people start smoking? Second, we have the expansion of the bottle bill to help provide income to the homeless while reducing carbon emissions and increasing the state's revenue stream. Wouldn't it be better to find a real workable healthcare solution and help the homeless find homes and employment rather than encourage the sad practice of collecting discarded bottles for survival?
RICK ROCHE
Westwood
NEED INCREASED state revenue? How about simply lifting the exemption for the tax on alcohol sold in stores? That would provide around $92 million a year. What could be easier?
ENID WATSON
Jamaica Plain 