BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — In a recent announcement, Governor Kathy Hochul revealed her plans to make to-go drinks a permanent fixture in New York State as part of her proposed budget.
This initiative was initially introduced during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a lifeline for bars and restaurants, helping them navigate through the challenging times of closures and restrictions.
In our budget proposal, I’m suggesting we make to-go drinks a permanent feature in New York!
Here’s to that 🍻 pic.twitter.com/gbdAKs89LL
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 15, 2024
The President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, Melissa Fleischut, expressed her support for the governor’s initiative. She released a statement saying:
“We, in the hospitality industry, are grateful to Governor Hochul for acknowledging the significant role that to-go drinks have played in sustaining our businesses. Our members are grappling with a host of challenges, from inflation to staffing issues, which are thinning our profit margins. Every day brings a new struggle, and many are still trying to recover from the losses incurred during the peak of the pandemic. In a nutshell, every little bit of support counts. We urge the state Legislature to follow in the governor’s footsteps and make to-go drinks a permanent feature.”
Fleischut was a guest on 7 Voices last Friday, where she delved deeper into the plan. The full conversation can be viewed in the video player above.
Disagree – This is a reckless decision that will only contribute to increased litter and public intoxication.