Gov. Baker is proposing a bill that would allow local control of liquor licenses in every city and town in Massachusetts except , BOSTON.
THE STATE IS HOSTING a hearing on Tuesday, February 9th at MA State House, 1:30pm- 4pm Room A-2 in order to create a documented dialogue about this proposal.
When: Tuesday, February 9th | 1:30pm- 4pm
Where: MA State House Room A-2
If you are planning on sharing sentiments/ testifying at the hearing please arrive as close to 1:15pm as possible. Epicenter Staff will greet you at the door outside Room A-2
Please email: erin@epicentercomm.org with questions or if you would like to testify.
Our questions to the governor can simply be stated in the question of,
“Why the exclusion specific to Boston?”
THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE ARE BEING EXCLUDED FROM HAVING LOCAL CONTROL OF OUR RESTAURANTS.
SOME OF OUR QUESTIONS INCLUDE:
Do other cities have different types of systems in place that allow them granted access to this privilege? If so, What do those systems look like and why are we not talking about them and already sharing those resources?
What is the defined system of license granting and dispersal at the local Boston level? Is there a step by step protocol? Is there some type of visual presentation that can be provided on how the board deliberates, and why policies are set in place in terms of when licenses are submitted to when they are granted? Is this a first come first serve basis? Are certain businesses given favorable treatment based on seniority in the community or if applying for a different class of license (wine & beer versus All Alcohol) surrendering their existing licenses rather than transferring/selling them to another restauranteur?
We would ask that you all join us to express your thoughts and ideas around this conversation. If you would like to testify and speak at the hearing please contact: Erin@Epicentercomm.org.
Here are a few articles about the proposal for you all to check out!
“Baker’s liquor license reform proposal would apply to all communities except the city of Boston, despite the desire of Mayor Marty Walsh and many on the city council to take over the licensing process as a means of spurring economic development in certain neighborhoods.”
