Mayor Michelle Wu mentioned she helps the repeal of the state’s comfortable hour ban — however there nonetheless can be some figuring to do on the metropolis degree earlier than you’ll be cracking open discounted chilly ones in Boston.
“Having a way to add one more draw to the business district overall could make a difference,” Wu mentioned on GBH’s Boston Public Radio when requested in regards to the present discuss on Beacon Hill to eliminate the long-standing statewide ban on discounted drink offers. “I support having this provision passed at the state level and I’ll do my best if that happens at the city level to make sure that we’re listening to all parties and would only move forward with something that makes sense.”
Senators voted final week to tack an modification making a local-option comfortable hour program onto their model of a $4.57 billion financial improvement invoice, immediately reviving the possibilities of a long-debated thought well-liked with many shoppers that has failed to achieve traction on Beacon Hill up to now due partly to considerations over drunken driving.
Don’t pour one out for the ban too quickly, although, as it might have to get by means of convention committee and be signed into regulation by Gov. Charlie Baker, who has thrown chilly water on the concept.
Under the Senate language, cities and cities must choose into the regulation, and must legalize happy-hour drink offers inside their borders to ensure that them to be allowed. The municipalities additionally would be capable of place restrictions on the offers for cheaper or free drinks, as was widespread observe to supply.
Wu mentioned she’s “excited” by the likelihood, but additionally added that some restaurateurs fear this might deliver a couple of “race to the bottom in terms of their margins and what they can charge.”
“The actual implementation really makes a difference in how cities would then apply their own specific rules,” Wu mentioned.
The hosts requested Wu whether or not she drinks. Yes, the 37-year-old mayor advised them — “I enjoy a glass of champagne.”
The rule stems again to 1983, when a bunch of individuals gained free pitchers of beer in a “name that tune” contest on the previous Ground Round in Braintree. The group then was joy-riding across the parking zone with one lady atop the automobile and a drunken driver behind the wheel, based on an previous Boston Herald article, when the lady tumbled off and the driving force, who was seven beers deep, ran her over and killed her.
The state outlawed happy-hour drink offers the following 12 months, and the regulation has stood since, regardless of periodic makes an attempt to repeal it. A court docket case dominated that bars might give happy-hour meals offers, so long as booze was not discounted.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”