Metro

Booze tax is all wet: gov

We’ll lift a pint to this.

Gov. Cuomo yesterday shot down a state health panel’s sobering proposals to increase taxes on booze, slash the number of new bars and liquor stores and limit the hours of gin joints.

“The governor doesn’t support raising this tax, or the other measures,” said state Health Department spokesman Bill Schwarz.

The rejection from Cuomo’s office came hours after The Post reported the state Public Health and Health Planning Council was pushing the proposal in its five-year “Prevention Agenda” for 2013-2017.

But state Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah will request that the anti-booze provisions be dropped from the plan in a vote Thursday because they are “contrary” to Cuomo’s position.

Bar patrons yesterday said they were happy the recommendations were going down the drain.

“It’s insane!” said Michael Clancy, 41, an executive chef who quaffed a pint of stout at Spikehill Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

“It seems like they’re feeding off small businesses all the time. I don’t think it would work for them to reduce the amount of alcohol people will drink. Look at the Prohibition period.”

The Distilled Spirits Council said the proposals were “completely out of line” with Cuomo’s efforts to promote state breweries, wineries and distilleries.

Scott Wexler of the Empire State Restaurant and Tavern Association praised Cuomo’s “measured” and “sober” approach to health policy.