PITTSBURGH — Gov. Tom Wolf made an announcement about a new plan to help Pennsylvania’s struggling bars and restaurants.
Wolf and a handful of other lawmakers were at LeMont on Mount Washington for the announcement.
Wolf announced a plan to waive liquor license fees to help bars and restaurants. The plan waives fees through 2021 starting in January. Wolf’s plan would reportedly save bars, clubs, and hotels $20 million. If the plan passes, he said a burden will be lifted from owners during this difficult time and the liquor control board will discuss it at their next board meeting.
“This area has done a phenomenal job with this COVID-19 pandemic,” Wolf said. “I look at counties all across Pennsylvania, and Allegheny County, this area, has done a phenomenal job keeping people safe.”
Wolf said the hospitality industry has faced one of the biggest hurdles during the pandemic. He said the economic and financial hardship for the restaurant industry has been very severe.
He said the vast majority of bar and restaurant owners have followed the safety procedures put forth by the state. He said he has repeatedly called for Congress to help the industry with direct financial support and he said he’s asked the state congress to offer alcohol tax cancellation or reduction.
Any final decision on whether or not this can be done will have to come through the liquor control board.
Wolf also said he does not anticipate another stay-at-home order despite the recent dramatic rise in coronavirus cases across the region and the state.
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus spokesperson Jason Gottesman sent Channel 11 a statement in response to the governor’s plan:
"Pennsylvania’s hospitality industry is on the verge of collapse and community bars and restaurants are on the precipice of permanent closure because of Gov. Wolf’s overbroad and onerous restrictions that are backed neither by science nor common sense.
"Earlier this week, Democrats had a chance to join Republicans in providing real assistance to this struggling industry and its workers by overriding the Governor’s veto of House Bill 2513, but instead too many of them sold their votes for today’s half measure of help that does not even take effect until next year should it be adopted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
“Instead of Democrats blindly following this governor’s misguided mandates, they should listen to the families, workers, and small business owners who have been devastated by his overbroad and inconsistent shutdown and stand ready to balance safety and mitigation with a path toward normalcy.”
Earlier this week, Wolf shot down a bill that would have allowed restaurants to run at least at 50% capacity if following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a letter to the House, the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association argued the veto of the bill encourages private gatherings and house parties.
The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association called Wolf’s veto “devastating.”
The restaurant and bar industry has faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and restaurant groups have warned of future closures.
Restaurants react to the news
“For the places that aren’t open, how is this going to help them? How is this going to help the employees and everyone else involved in this business?" asked Matt Voelker with Nadine’s Diner.
Voelker says any help is appreciated, but this latest plan by Wolf leaves him frustrated.
“Right now, being a small place, losing the bar seating has hurt us,” he said.
“If you do the math, it works out to about $1,500 per restaurant so I was surprised,” said John Longstreet with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Longstreet also called the announcement a disappointment.
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