The Business Council of New York State is seeking to repeal "Prohibition-era" alcohol laws.The New York Post reported that the organization launched its "New Yorkers Cheers for Change" campaign on Sunday, pushing a proposal that would counter the state's restrictions on alcohol sales."New York has some of the most restrictive Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) laws the entire nation because they were created during the Prohibition-era.Current ABC laws impede economic growth, job opportunities, consumer choice, and New York’s own wine and distilled spirits industry," the organization's website read.AMERICA'S FAVORITE BEERS — AND THE JOBS TIED TO THEM — ARE AT THE CENTER OF A BREWING TRADE FIGHTNew York's alcohol restrictions date back to 1934, near the end of the Prohibition era.
(iStock)The "Cheers for Change" campaign followed the 2023 Commission to Study Reform of the Alcohol Beverage Control Law, launched under New York Gov.Kathy Hochul, to recommend ways to update state laws, such as relaxing its 200 Foot Law and 500 Foot Law.The state's 200 Foot Law prohibits the State Liquor Authority from issuing licenses to merchants selling within 200 feet of a school or place of worship.
The 500 Foot Law restricts the issuing of licenses to businesses within 500 feet of three or more licensed establishments.Both are part of the New York Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Law, first enacted in 1934, immediately after Prohibition laws ended nationwide, for the purpose of regulating alcohol production and sales.NEW YORK CITY LOST RESIDENTS ACROSS ALL INCOME LEVELS LAST YEAR, STUDY FINDSNew York Gov.Kathy Hochul has supported efforts to pull back on alcohol restrictions.
(Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)According to the website, pulling back on state regulations could create more than 4,000 new jobs and produce $500 million worth of new economic activity."Updating the 200-Foot and 500-Foot Laws and modernizing tied-house restrictions will remove unneces...