By Christen Smith | The Center Square
Credit: PA Internet News Service
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday he wants the state liquor control board to waive licensing fees for bars and restaurants struggling under pandemic restrictions – but the measure is too little, too late to critics of the governor’s moves this year.
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Wolf said the policy could save $20 million for business owners, but legislative Republicans and the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association argue the vetoed House Bill 2513 would have been a better solution.
The measure would have rolled back capacity mandates for all restaurants – not just those self-certified by the state – and would permit alcohol sales beyond 11 p.m. and some bar seating. It went to Wolf’s desk with broad bipartisan support last week, but when the House attempted to override the governor’s veto on Tuesday, about a dozen Democrats withdrew their support, leaving it to fall just two votes shy of the necessary two-thirds threshold.
“That 83 percent is where the governor should be looking to address if the Commonwealth really wants to contain a fall surge,” Moran said.
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He also wanted clarification on whether the state liquor control board would wave all licensing fees – including those related to off-premise catering, Sunday permits and small games of chance – or just “standard” licensing fees. Wolf said Thursday he hopes the board “will do the right thing” and approve the policy at their November meeting.
“While licensing fee help is part of the solution, much more needs to be done, particularly considering the size of the industry and its role in the Pennsylvania economy,” Moran said. “We would have liked to have seen a comprehensive package promoted by the governor.”
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The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association said in legislative testimony over the summer that the administration’s capacity limits and alcohol sales ban could close more than 7,000 establishments and leave 200,000 unemployed.
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