After several years of discussion with no progress, the Association has ratcheted up our efforts to put an end to the pricing practices of wine and liquor wholesalers that cause small retailers to be charged substantially more than large retailers. We’re launching a campaign to rally support for our proposals to level the playing field…

The New York State Division of Lottery has been forced to stop it’s Thursday Quick Draw bonus play and Quick Draw agents and their employees are feeling the loss. According to the Lottery Director, the Quick Draw bonus and other prize supplements had been funded through lapsed prizes (uncollected winnings). This year during the state…

Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg once again hosted our annual golf outing on June 3rd. Sixty-three golfers ventured out in the shadows of the picturesque Adirondack Mountains to enjoy the hospitality of our host and our sponsors. Not only did the group have a great time but thanks to the participating golfers, tee sponsors, and…

The New York State Senate confirmed SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley and Commissioner Greeley Ford to new three year terms before recessing for the year. Chairman Bradley and Commissioner Ford have been voices of reason since joining the State Liquor Authority. Most importantly, as residents of upstate New York they bring “upstate sensibility” to the work…

The New York State Legislature recessed for the year this month after an active year for the newly minted Democratic Majority. A lot of the “energy” of the legislative session was invested in pushing through a laundry list of “progressive” issues that had been blocked by the Republican State Senate. We started the year with…

Many of our members have expressed concern to us about the ever increasing cost of processing credit and debit card payments. The combination of the continuing hikes in fees from the card processors with the growing use of these payment forms by your customers has made this one of your most expensive cost centers. For…

Time is running out to register for the Association’s Annual Golf Outing being held on June 3rd at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg. The $110 per golfer registration fee includes greens fees, cart, lunch, refreshments on the course, hors d’oeuvres and dinner (cash bar), awards, and prizes. Call the Association office at 518-436-8121 to register…

The State Legislature completed adoption of the state budget overnight on March 31st and April 1st and there were no major issues for our members. The final budget does include a ban on single-use plastic bags, but it exempts restaurants. The new state law has a somewhat confusing local option to require a fee on…

While we’ve had our eyes on the state budget deliberations, Restaurant Opportunities Center United (ROC) – the union funded organization driving the campaign to eliminate the minimum wage for tipped foodservice workers – has been busy building support for their proposal to eliminate the tip credit: ROC has brought tipped workers to Albany to advocate…

Longtime Legal Counsel to the State Association, Jim Linnan, has joined The Wagoner Firm. Jim joins The Wagoner Firm in its fifth year of business and at a time of dramatic growth, as the firm adds medical malpractice, personal injury and expertise in the area of the hospitality industry, including representation before the New York…

The Association’s Annual Golf Outing will be held this year at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg on June 3rd. The $110 per golfer registration fee includes greens fees, cart, lunch, refreshments on the course, hors d’oeuvres and dinner (cash bar), awards, and prizes. Cronin’s cabins are available for overnight stay on a first come –…

The Assembly and Senate have each adopted their one house budget resolutions signaling the start of the budget conference committee process. Over the next few weeks negotiations will go on behind closed doors between the Assembly, the Senate and the Governor. The expansion of the Bottle Bill and a ban on single use plastic bags…