Ciresi urges Liquor Control Board to waive license fees for bars and restaurants
Rep. Joseph Ciresi October 23, 2020 | 1:50 PM
ROYERSFORD, Oct. 23 – State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, reinforced his support for the bar and restaurant industry today, calling on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to adopt Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal to waive liquor license fees through 2021.
In a letter to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board chairman Tim Holden, Ciresi urged the PLCB to work with Wolf and waive liquor license fees, an act that has the ability to provide $20 million in direct relief to an industry struggling because of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
“It is undeniable that 2020 has been a difficult year for Pennsylvania’s restaurants and bars, foundations of our communities and an important sector of our economy,” Ciresi wrote to Holden. “At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic remains a very serious threat, it is clear our restaurants need additional support to help cope with the loss of revenue they are experiencing.”
Wolf’s plan, which would start Jan. 1, 2021, would provide more than 16,000 restaurants, bars, clubs, catering halls and hotels across the state an estimated $20 million in relief.
“As we enter the anticipated fall resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the very contagious nature of this virus makes gathering indoors publicly at full capacity dangerous,” Wolf said. “Still, we know that restaurant and bar owners in Pennsylvania are committed to keeping their employees and customers safe and the vast majority of these businesses have followed safety precautions and invested in new procedures and supplies, but COVID continues to hurt this industry. My administration continues to look for innovative ways that we can support the bar and restaurant industry. Eliminating liquor license fees is an important step toward helping bars and restaurants retain the capital they need to weather the storm of COVID-19.”
Ciresi is also a co-sponsor of H.B. 2919, introduced by state Rep. Chris Quinn, R-Delaware, to waive 2021 and 2022 liquor license renewal fees for financially impacted bars and restaurants.
Ciresi’s pursuit of relief for the bar and restaurant industry through this pandemic also includes his continued support of bipartisan H.B. 2791, which he co-introduced with state Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, in August. This legislation would utilize $100 million in federal CARES Act funding to focus on smaller, community businesses rather than chains and national conglomerates. It would provide relief to bars, restaurants and catering halls, specifically the community business owners and the workers who cook and serve.
“In addition to my bill seeking assistance for the smaller ‘mom and pop’ bars and restaurants, I hope the PLCB joins the growing efforts to help Pennsylvanians in need,” Ciresi said. “I look forward to continuing my work in pursuit of relief for this crucial industry, and I welcome any and all who want to join in these pursuits.”
More information about this this topic is available by contacting Ciresi’s office at 484-200-8265.