Senator Daphne Jordan urges Governor Cuomo to allow the reopening of billiard halls across New York State

Halfmoon, NY – After a New York State Supreme Court ruling recently provided temporary relief allowing 16 billiard halls across the state to reopen, New York State Senator Daphne Jordan (R,C,I-Halfmoon) today urged Governor Cuomo to follow suit and allow the reopening of billiard halls across New York State.

The decision issued 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 provided preliminary injunction relief that allowed 16 billiard halls to reopen following the state’s phase four rules for indoor entertainment.

The lead attorney for the plaintiffs stated that the court’s preliminary ruling means that billiard halls could operate much like bowling alleys or casinos, which are presently functioning at 50 percent capacity in accordance with state requirements. While the case awaits a final ruling, Judge Neri’s issuance of preliminary injunction relief bodes well for the 16 billiard halls that brought this legal action.

After the decision was issued, Senator Jordan wrote to Governor Cuomo yesterday, Wednesday, January 27, asking for the administration to follow the expected legal outcome and allow billiard halls across New York to reopen under the state’s phase four reopening guidelines. In her correspondence, Senator Jordan also cited the commitment of billiard halls to provide safe, clean, sanitized facilities and proper social distancing protocols to ensure the health and safety of all patrons.

The recent letter marks the second time that Senator Jordan has 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.

“Billiard halls across New York State have demonstrated a clear commitment to providing a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience for their customers. Much like bowling alleys, billiard halls have made cleanliness and proper social distancing top priorities. These vital small businesses are ready, able, and want to reopen, and are 100 percent committed to doing so safely for their patrons and employees. I’m asking the Governor to consider the recent State Supreme Court decision and allow for billiard halls to finally reopen statewide as they have been requesting since last summer. We cannot afford to see even more small businesses close and more jobs lost all because the state failed to act,” Senator Daphne Jordan said.

“As the owner of two billiard halls, I’ve been living this issue – the urgent need to reopen and keep my team members employed – every single day since the shutdowns began in March of 2020. I have total faith and confidence in the ability of my businesses, and countless billiard halls, to provide a safe, sanitized, socially distanced experience for our valued customers. A few weeks ago, Governor Cuomo admitted that the state’s current course of ongoing lockdowns and COVID-19 closures is unsustainable. He’s right! Pretty soon, there won’t be an economy left to reopen. I’m urging Governor Cuomo to recognize the urgency of this situation, heed his own words, and allow billiard halls to reopen because we can do so safely,” said Tim Berlin, Proprietor of Trick Shot Billiards & Sports Pub in Halfmoon, and Sharp Shooters Billiards and Sports Pub in Amsterdam.

###

*Text of the correspondence issued by Senator Jordan to Governor Cuomo yesterday is attached above with this news release. Also attached is Senator Jordan’s correspondence from October 1, 2020, that urged the Governor to allow billiard halls in New York State to reopen.