Senate Republicans Call on Legislature to Reconvene to Pass Legislation to Allow Alcohol-to-Go

Senator Mike Martucci, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business, Commerce  and Economic Development, and members of the Senate Republican Conference today called on the majorities in the Legislature to reconvene session immediately in order to pass legislation to allow restaurants to continue to sell to-go alcoholic beverages. 

The provision, which was authorized as part of the State’s pandemic response to help small businesses who were struggling due to shut-downs, was ended with no notice by the Governor effective yesterday, despite the previous extension through July 5th. 

“Our small businesses suffered greatly during the pandemic, but the provision that allowed restaurants to sell alcohol to go was a small bright spot that provided a way for many of our restaurants and bars to keep their doors open and their businesses afloat. Once again, the Governor made this announcement with no warning, and left our small businesses struggling to pick up the pieces. Our economy has a long way to go to recover -- the Legislature must act to keep this lifeline going for our restaurants,” said Senator Martucci. 

“As a restaurant owner myself, it has been both heartbreaking and frustrating to see the incalculable damage being done to the hospitality industry, not only by the pandemic, but by overly restrictive state policies. Restaurants and taverns around my district – including many local landmarks – have closed their doors for good. Those that survived are struggling to regain their footing. Alcohol-to-go was a lifeline that helped them survive. The fact that Governor Cuomo is willing to cut that lifeline without warning and let NY’s restaurants and bars drown says volumes about his concern for small business owners. The Legislature needs to return to Albany and pass this legislation to help our restaurant and hospitality industry as they recover,” said Senator George Borrello.

“It is unfortunate the legislative majorities failed to act on a bill before session ended that would allow restaurants to continue to sell alcoholic beverages to go. We should be looking for ways to help struggling businesses that have suffered significant hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic and not make it more difficult for them. The Legislature should reconvene session so that we can consider this and other legislation that will provide immediate and needed assistance and resources to businesses and restaurants and help them to recover,” said Senator Joseph Griffo. 

“Our restaurant and hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their ability to offer individual alcoholic beverages to go was a small lifeline for many who saw their businesses otherwise decimated. I support Senator Mike Martucci and my Senate Republican Colleagues call for action on this important issue to provide assistance to our restaurants who are struggling to recover,” said Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt. 

Both the Senate and Assembly introduced legislation that would allow restaurants to continue to sell individual alcoholic beverages along with to-go food purchases, but failed to act on it before the conclusion of the legislative session on June 10th. 

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