Wine surcharge?

TRENTON - New Jersey restaurant owners say that they'll have no choice but to pass on to customers a proposed 25 percent tax increase on wine and liquor.

Members of the New Jersey Restaurant Association Tuesday urged lawmakers to rescind the increase, which is included in the proposed state budget and projected to generate $22 million next year.

Their pleas may be too late.

Lawmakers yesterday reported having agreed to most details in the $28.6 billion budget.*

-Associated Press