Bar, restaurant ask Pa. lawmakers for bailout package

PITTSBURGH — Bar and restaurant owners are calling for immediate help and change because the COVID-19 pandemic has a strong grip on their industry.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association went before the Pennsylvania Majority Policy Committee Thursday calling on lawmakers in Harrisburg to do something.

The organization talked about how the coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted taverns and restaurants across the Commonwealth.

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It’s being described as a “tipping point,” and without assistance many of these spots will disappear in the near future.

The Tavern Association laid out an extensive package that would help these businesses survive and recover.

The package includes introducing grants that would help pay for losses and personal protective equipment, eliminating all license fees and surcharges for liquor-related services, eliminating all Small Game of Chance licensing fees and capping third-party delivery fees.

“Restaurants can’t operate in this capacity and something really needs to be done more honestly on a national level because restaurants all around one dealing with the same thing,” said Arnold Ivey, executive chef at IronRock Tap House.

The Tavern Association asked for permanent acceptance of mixed drinks to go.

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Cox Media Group