Buffalo, NY (WBEN) State Senate Republicans began the process of repealing some of Governor Cuomo's executive orders by introducing a bill to wash out the requirement of a food purchase to order alcohol.
Cuomo's executive order was introduced in July, required any establishment licensed by the SLA could only serve alcoholic beverages if accompanied by the purchase of a food item by each individual being served an alcoholic beverage. Republicans say the change was announced by Governor Cuomo during a news conference, with no guidance in place, and caused mass confusion within the bar and restaurant industry that was already struggling to comply with constantly changing regulations and mandates.
"While we all recognized the need to make adjustments to help contain the spread of the virus in the midst of the pandemic, this order was completely arbitrary, with absolutely no scientific data to back it up. Our bars and restaurants continue to struggle under burdensome mandates passed on by the Governor, and lifting this one is a no-brainer that would immediately help these businesses get back on their feet," said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt.
"As we mark a year into the pandemic, the cumulative economic toll on our restaurants, hospitality businesses and their hardworking employees keeps growing. Burdened by the Governor's overly restrictive and arbitrary mandates, New York's industry is in worse shape than its peers in other states and, every day, we see more of these small businesses forced to close their doors. While the Governor is consumed with defending himself against a series of unfolding scandals, we need to be laser focused on doing everything in our power to help our struggling hospitality sector and the New Yorkers it employs by rescinding senseless directives like this one that accomplish nothing other than causing further economic harm," said Senator George Borrello.
"Restaurants have been one of the businesses hit especially hard by pandemic-related restrictions, many of which are arbitrary and not based on science. The requirement for customers to purchase food when ordering alcoholic beverages is just one example. As we move to safely reopen our economy, we must continue to ease restrictions and eliminate unnecessary burdens on businesses and consumers," said Senator Patrick Gallivan.
Earlier this week, Borello told WBEN Senate Republicans were beginning the process of repealing some of Cuomo's executive orders.
