Legislators react to Wolf’s plan to aid bars, restaurants
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Bar and restaurant owners battling tightening COVID-19 restrictions may have a little relief next year.
On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a plan to waive liquor license fees for restaurants and bars to lighten the financial burden businesses in hospitality have faced since the start of the pandemic.
Wolf is working with the state Liquor Control Board to waive standard licensing fees through 2021, starting Jan. 1.
“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.”
The governor’s office estimates that 16,000 restaurants, bars, clubs, catering clubs and hotels would see $20 million in relief through the waiving of fees, but PLCB officials are not sure exactly how the proposal would work or if they are able to make it happen.
The PLCB plans to further discuss the proposal at a meeting next week.
Restaurant owners are thankful, but they know it might not be enough to keep their doors open if crowd restrictions continue into the new year.
State lawmakers have been pushing to alleviate restrictions for bars and restaurants and for some, Wolf’s newest move is a step in the right direction.
State Rep. Austin Davis, D-Allegheny, said the proposal was great news.
“Today our bars and restaurants received some very welcoming financial news,” Davis said. “The waiving of licensing fees through 2021 is going to help more bars and restaurants than we know.
“But most importantly, it’s going to allow these establishments to retain the capital they need to make it through this global pandemic. COVID-19 was unexpected and, quite frankly, we were unprepared for a health crisis of this extent. However, that doesn’t mean that the restaurant industry, especially our family-owned businesses, should be forced to shutter their doors.”
Davis supports the restrictions that are in place, but knows it has been tough for local businesses.
“Capacity restrictions have been unpopular and hard to navigate in Pennsylvania. But these restrictions are saving lives,” Davis said. “Unfortunately, the winter months are going to make it extremely hard on the restaurant industry. The waiving of licensing fees, though, will help these businesses during this very uncertain time.
“Lastly, I’d like to thank Gov. Tom Wolf for listening to our request last week to waive these fees. It’s clear by his actions today that the best interests of commonwealth residents are always at the core of his decision-making process.”
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