NY Liquor Store Lobbyists Scotch To-Go Cocktails

Gothamist reports:

New York lawmakers are pushing back against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to allow restaurants and bars to serve cocktails with takeout and delivery orders. Neither of the legislative budget plans included what Hochul recently called “the most popular item in (her) budget.” The liquor store lobby raised concern over the measure and has not been afraid of letting lawmakers know.

Both the New York State Liquor Store Association and the Metropolitan Package Store Association have been active in lobbying against Hochul’s proposals. The liquor store organizations argue that allowing restaurants and bars to sell to-go wine and cocktails would allow them to compete with liquor stores without having to follow the same rules.

Read the full article.

The New York State Senate and Assembly issued separate state budget proposals, both omitting what Governor Hochul recently called “the most popular item in [her] budget”: A measure that would permanently authorize cocktails to go.https://t.co/fTQxl0ePpD

— Gothamist (@Gothamist) March 14, 2022