Take Action to Support Drinks-to-Go

Governor Hochul’s proposal to allow on-premises licensees to sell drinks-to-go on a permanent basis remains up in the air as negotiations over the state budget head into the final two weeks. The State Assembly and Senate both rejected drinks-to-go in their One-House Budgets released past this week, but there are indications that they remain open to it during the final budget negotiations.

The fight over drinks-to-go hasn’t changed since last year. While the public overwhelmingly supports allowing restaurants and taverns to sell drinks-to-go and our industry is excited to have new revenue opportunities, the liquor store lobby sees this as an existential threat.

There’s still time to get it included in the final budget, but you need to act now!

Working with our friends at the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) we have set up an online site for you, your employees, and your customers, so all you have to do is connect to the website (https://p2a.co/nr0Yso4) and click on the link to send letters to your representatives asking them to support drinks-to-go as part of the final budget.

Drinks-to-go served as an important lifeline for many on-premises operators over the past two years. Even with the relaxation of restrictions it’s going to take time to recover. Bringing back drinks-to-go will make the recovery a little bit easier. Please join in this fight to bring back drinks-to-go and make sure you have this option available to you.