But the Governor also is proposing to dramatically add to the SLA’s burden – and risk an increase in underage drinking – by legalizing the sale of wine in every deli, corner store, gas station, bodega and grocery store in New York State. That’s a bad idea that he should shelf immediately.

While the “nutcracker” story is shocking to many New Yorkers, the truth is New York State has a serious problem with underage drinking. The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services reports that the State spends more than $3.2 billion every year to deal with the impacts of underage drinking. That’s a staggering amount of money – in fact it is almost exactly the amount of the State’s mid-year budget deficit this year – and we should be looking for ways to reduce it.

The Governor claims legalizing the sale of wine in bodegas and 19,000 outlets is good for New York because it will generate more license fees for the state. But that is a one-time gimmick that will have long-term negative impacts on our teenagers and our state. In truth, the long-term costs will far outweigh any benefits. More than 4,500 people will lose their jobs, more than a 1,000 small businesses will close their doors, and underage drinking will increase significantly.

So, as we support the Governor’s crackdown on bodegas, I am confident the State Legislature will continue to stand firm in opposition to his efforts to make matters worse by legalizing the sale of wine in 19,000 new outlets. Even better, the Governor should abandon his plans to legalize the sale of wine in 19,000 new outlets and work with the Legislature on ways to crack down on underage drinking at bodegas and everywhere else.

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz represents the 45th Assembly District in Brooklyn.