Assembly Karl Brabenec (R,C,I- Deerpark) was pleased to see steps were made by New York state officials today to roll back several of the operational restrictions on bars and restaurants. Both the state Legislature and governor took action, repealing the mandated requirement of vendors to sell food items with alcohol purchases and announcing the end dates for curfews on establishments.

After extensive pressure from Minority lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly, the Legislature moved today to revoke Gov. Cuomo's requirement of bars and restaurants to sell food items with alcohol purchases. This policy was criticized heavily by the Minority Conference as arbitrary and counterproductive. The governor's office also announced this morning that mandated curfews on outdoor dining areas beginning May 17 and indoor areas beginning May 31 would be lifted. The release from the governor's office also mentions lifting various other restrictions on catered events and gatherings, suggesting the state's harsh restrictions are loosening across the board.

“It is about time,” said Brabenec. “For over a year our small businesses, restaurants and establishments have been plagued by poorly-designed and ill-thought out mandates from Gov. Cuomo. I hope these actions are evidence that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the executive branch have come to their senses and realized the truth in what we have been telling them all along—these restrictions are arbitrary. They prevent our establishments from making a living and they absolutely must be removed"