Senator Gallivan Addresses Restaurant Roundtable

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma) met with more than a dozen local restaurant owners and operators as part of a roundtable event organized by the New York State Restaurant Association. The group gathered Tuesday at Johnson’s Landing in Hamburg to discuss the state of the industry and some of the major challenges facing restaurants today, including rising costs, declining tourism, and staffing issues.

“Like so many small businesses in New York State, many local restaurants are facing difficulties because of inflation and changes in rules and regulations,” Senator Gallivan said. “It’s important to meet with owners and operators to learn more about their industry, the impact state policies have on how they do business, and how the legislature can better support restaurants.”

Among the concerns of the Restaurant Association is the so-called Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464). The measure was recently passed by the NYS Senate and would impose mandates on New York businesses by forcing them to register with a packaging reduction organization. It also sets unrealistic timelines for the elimination of certain materials for packaging purposes.  Senator Gallivan voted against the bill, citing the costs associated with the mandate if it were to become law. 

The group also discussed proposed legislation (S.409) which would allow on-premises retail licensees like bars and restaurants to buy and resell small quantities of alcohol from wine and liquor stores. The bill would give restaurants more flexibility to quickly and easily buy small quantities of alcohol from a nearby liquor store, which is not permitted under current law. 

"The Western New York Chapter of the New York Restaurant Association is so grateful to Senator Gallivan for taking the time to hear the concerns of Buffalo restaurant owners. This is a challenging time for all of us. We appreciate the Senator taking the time to help us navigate the New York State Regulations that affect our businesses," said Kailey E. Gyorffy, President of the Western NY Chapter of the NYS Restaurant Association.

The NYS Restaurant Association represents the hospitality industry throughout New York State. Founded in 1935, the Association has been working to improve the business climate for the hospitality industry in New York for nearly a century.

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