The Business Council of New York State is seeking to repeal ‘Prohibition-era’ alcohol laws that restrict the sale of alcohol in the state. The organization launched its ‘New Yorkers Cheers for Change’ campaign to push for a proposal that would update the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) laws.

Current Laws

The current laws, which include the 200 Foot Law and the 500 Foot Law, prohibit the State Liquor Authority from issuing licenses to merchants selling within 200 feet of a school or place of worship, and restrict the issuing of licenses to businesses within 500 feet of three or more licensed establishments. These laws were first enacted in 1934, immediately after Prohibition laws ended nationwide.

According to the Business Council of New York State, pulling back on state regulations could create more than 4,000 new jobs and produce $500 million worth of new economic activity. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, stated that ‘updating the 200-Foot and 500-Foot Laws and modernizing tied-house restrictions will remove unnecessary barriers to opening and growing restaurants, bars, and other hospitality businesses, ensuring New York’s regulatory framework reflects today’s economy and consumer demand.’

Reform Efforts

Efforts to reform New York’s alcohol laws have faced pushback from some local representatives concerned about the saturation of alcohol merchants within a neighborhood. City Councilman Harvey Epstein stated that ‘we need a balance. We want to make sure there’s a dry cleaner, a dentist, a pharmacy, a card store in the neighborhood.’ However, Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the Business Council of New York State, said that public support has been largely positive, with consumers wanting a system that is modernized to meet their needs.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.