New York State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, is calling on the State Liquor Authority to provide a credit to licensees reflecting the amount of time these bars, restaurants and other establishments have been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In an April 28 letter to the State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent G. Bradley, Griffo urges the authority to offer license holders the option to either be repaid an amount equivalent to the duration of the state’s mandatory closure or reduce by the duration of the shutdown the costs attributed to any license renewal, whichever option the license holder chooses.

“These establishments applied for a license, complied with state regulations and paid fees associated with their establishment’s licensure with the understanding that they would be able to run their businesses as intended,” Griffo said in the letter. “As a result of the inability to conduct business accordingly, they should be compensated for the hardship imposed on them by government actions.

“Restaurants, bars, banquet halls and other venues are an important segment of our state’s economy,” Griffo adds. “New York State, including the SLA must do all that it can to provide relief to these businesses so that they can eventually operate and be successful.”

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