Daly Buys Bar, Supports Booze Tax

After his term expires, District 6 supervisor won't be far from City Hall
By: Gerry Shih

Chris Daly might be leaving the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, but he’s not leaving District 6.

Word emerged Tuesday that the termed-out supervisor is in the process of buying Buck’s Tavern at 1655 Market St., just on the western edge of what has been Daly’s domain since 2000.

Daly has reached a deal with the current owner and his friend, Michael Gouddou. The sale is pending a liquor license transfer, the supervisor said Wednesday from his home in Fairfield, where he was getting ready for dinner with his wife and children.

Daly, who has been criticized for moving his family to Fairfield, said he will continue to keep an apartment in District 6 and vowed to remain “active in community work and progressive politics” in the city. Daly hopes his new dive, situated just a few blocks from City Hall, will become a watering hole for progressive types.

Despite his investment, Daly said he plans to vote in favor of the controversial booze tax proposed by Supervisor John Avalos when it comes before the board. The fee will levy alcohol wholesalers roughly a nickel per drink, according to Avalos, and is intended to generate about $15 million to be used for alcohol-related public health costs, like alcoholism treatment programs and ambulance costs for “public inebriates.”

Critics have said that the cost will be passed on to businesses and ultimately, consumers. (News of the fee has also been picked up on Fox News and bandied about in conservative forums on the Internet.)

Mayor Gavin Newsom has opposed the fee. Critics have sniped that he took his position because he owns the Plumpjack Group, a holding company that includes wineries and wine shops.

“This would be bad for business, bad for the city’s economy, and bad for jobs,” said Newsom spokesman Tony Winnicker on Wednesday.

Daly said that he is allowed to vote on the matter under ethics rules. “Just like the mayor, I have no conflict,” he said.

Daly said he supported the tax because it would bring in needed revenue for city services, which he has advocated throughout his tenure.

“To be a responsible barkeeper it’s more than just cutting someone off when they’ve had a little bit too much,” he said. “It also extends to helping to pay for problems that are out there. If that means 4 or 5 cents a drink, it seems like a small price to pay in order to help deal with tougher issues like alcoholism and addiction.”

At least one large alcohol distributor in the city has hired lobbyists to fight the fee, which is poised to pass the board. Winnicker said the mayor is expected to veto the measure, which could land in the courts.

“This is a fee that only San Francisco would levy, alone in the state,” said Winnicker. “This is a fee that would likely not stand a legal challenge and cost the city untold thousands of dollars to defend.”

Daly urged business owners not to pile on political pressure.

“When you fund community programs, it helps people off the street and on their feet and that increases business,” Daly said. “That means more liquor sales.”

He paused.

“It’s weird logic,” he said, “but I think it’s real.”