Hochul proposes overhaul of State Liquor Authority, making ‘to-go’ drinks permanent

NEW YORK CITY (WHEC) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for reform of the State Liquor Authority and making "to-go" drinks for restaurants permanent.

During a Wednesday news conference, Hochul proposed adding 30 new full-time employees to the SLA to help process applications more quickly. The governor says those wait times can take 20 to 26 weeks. She is also calling for the modernization of the agency and streamlining the application process.

The governor reiterated her plan to allow bars and restaurants to offer to-go drinks "under proper limitations", which was temporarily allowed during the pandemic.

The Business Council issued a statement Wednesay afternoon commending the plan, " ABC laws, some of which have been in place since the end of prohibition, both undermining economic development and limiting markets for our New York wine and distilled spirits industry."

Watch the full conference in the video in the player below (mobile users, click here):