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…

Happy Spring! What better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring (even if the weather hasn’t gotten the message) than to start planning for the Association’s Annual Golf Outing. As the enclosed flier details, we’re once again  hosting the outing at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg. This year’s outing will be held on June 3rd.…

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of the Association’s longest serving and hardest working member, Cleo Emmer. Cleo will be remembered as a lady who loved life and was loved by all. No one worked harder for or cared more about the members of the Association than Cleo did. Our monthly…

Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal includes an expansion of the Bottle Bill to add sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit & vegetable drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas. Wine and liquor bottles are not immediately included in the new, broader mandate, but a task force is created by the proposal to study how to expand the…

The Governor also proposed banning single-use plastic bags, although the proposed ban would not apply to restaurants. There are quite a few proposed exemptions to the ban which could become controversial and subject to legislative action. There’s also a proposal to allow for adult use of cannabis (marijuana). One element of that proposal of note,…

While we’re waiting for the Department of Labor to complete their review of the tip credit hearings and for the Governor to decide how he wants to respond, a new legislative proposal to eliminate the tip credit has emerged as a threat. State Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee last month introduced S1760-A1240 which…

As I’m sure you know the next phase of the state’s multi-year march to a $15 minimum wage takes effect on December 31st. The annual increase in the minimum wage also triggers a review of the cash wage for tipped food service workers to determine if it increases (varies across New York State). It also…

As we go to press there is still no word on the outcome of the tip credit hearings. The Governor gave a speech outlining his top legislative priorities last week and this topic did not come up, which is good news, but it will need to be addressed before long. And even if the Governor…