Delivering real results to help small businesses: Senator Daphne Jordan successfully advocates for the reopening of billiard halls across New York State
February 15, 2021
Halfmoon, NY – Empire State Development (ESD) today confirmed that billiard halls across New York State can finally reopen, thanks in large part to the tireless and effective advocacy of Senator Daphne Jordan (R,C,I-Halfmoon) who delivered this real result to help these small businesses that have been closed for months.
As recently as January 27, Senator Jordan again wrote Governor Cuomo – her second letter on the subject in less than a year – urging the Governor to finally allow the reopening of billiard halls across New York State as these businesses could reopen safely and securely.
Senator Jordan’s advocacy in January came days just after a legal decision was issued on January 15, 2021, by New York State Supreme Court Justice Gerard Neri in the case of 370 BREWERTON ROAD, LLC d/b/a Brick House Billiards Bar and Restaurant et al., v. ANDREW M. CUOMO and provided preliminary injunction relief that allowed 16 billiard halls to reopen following the state’s phase four rules for indoor entertainment.
After the decision was issued, Senator Jordan wrote to Governor Cuomo on January 27, urging the administration to follow the expected legal outcome and allow all billiard halls across New York to finally reopen under the state’s phase four reopening guidelines. In her correspondence, Senator Jordan also cited the commitment of billiard halls to providing safe, clean, sanitized facilities and proper social distancing protocols to ensure the health and safety of all patrons.
The January 27 letter marked the second time that Senator Jordan had requested Governor Cuomo to allow the safe, sensible reopening of billiard halls. On October 1, 2020, Senator Jordan wrote the Governor asking that Empire State Development be directed to implement a plan to facilitate the safe reopening of billiard halls.
“This morning I called Empire State Development who confirmed to me that billiard halls across New York State are now allowed to re-open. This is a huge win for these small businesses that have demonstrated a clear commitment to providing a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience for their customers and now they will be allowed to do so. I’m thrilled to have delivered this real result to help our small businesses and economy,” Senator Jordan said.
Attached with this news release above is a copy of Senator Daphne Jordan’s letter to Governor Cuomo issued January 27, 2021. Senator Jordan has successfully advocated for billiard halls across New York State to reopen.
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