Erie County Legislator Joe Lorigo and Assemblyman Erik Bohen teamed up with West Seneca’s Rusty Nickel Brewing Company to speak out against proposed changes to state law that would hurt the craft brewing industry.
The new law would raise the legal age to serve alcohol and open containers from 18 to 21, limiting an establishment’s ability to hire. It would also have negative consequences for interns in the brewing and hospitality industry, who often complete internship hours in line with their coursework under the age of 21.
Additionally, the law would make the 1st series of samples an individual purchases tax exempt. This creates undue burden on a business to track the number, size, and volume of different samples consumed by an individual to remain compliant with the tax exemption. It also limits the amount of samples that may be consumed by an individual on a calendar day.
"I don't even know how a small business like this would even track such a thing,” said Rusty Nickel co-owner Dave Johnson. “I feel like their heart was in the right place but somehow missed the mark on what they were trying to accomplish.”
“The local craft brewing industry has been a huge part of Western New York’s resurgence and each of these establishments are attractions not only to Erie County residents, but tourists as well,” said Legislator Lorigo. “State laws should offer support to the industry rather than needlessly imposing more restrictions and regulations.”
“The way this law is written, it will hurt the great bars, restaurants and breweries in our region” said Legislator John Mills, a co-sponsor of the resolution. “The state needs to go back to the drawing board and establish a bill that works in favor of the industry and its employees.”
“This legislation is putting further restriction on small businesses and they do not need that at this time,” Assemblyman Erik Bohen added.