Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, representing Elma, engaged with over a dozen local restaurant owners and operators in a roundtable event organized by the New York State Restaurant Association. The meeting took place at Johnson’s Landing in Hamburg, focusing on the industry’s current state and significant challenges such as rising costs, declining tourism, and staffing issues.
Senator Gallivan acknowledged the difficulties faced by small businesses due to inflation and regulatory changes. “It’s important to meet with owners and operators to learn more about their industry, the impact state policies have on how they do business, and how the legislature can better support restaurants,” he stated.
A major concern discussed was the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464), recently passed by the NYS Senate. This act mandates New York businesses to register with a packaging reduction organization and sets timelines for eliminating certain packaging materials. Senator Gallivan opposed this bill due to its potential cost implications if enacted into law.
The discussion also covered proposed legislation (S.409) that would allow bars and restaurants to purchase small quantities of alcohol from wine and liquor stores for resale, offering them greater flexibility under current laws.
Kailey E. Gyorffy, President of the Western NY Chapter of the NYS Restaurant Association, expressed gratitude towards Senator Gallivan: “The Western New York Chapter of the New York Restaurant Association is so grateful to Senator Gallivan for taking the time to hear the concerns of Buffalo restaurant owners.”
The NYS Restaurant Association has been representing New York’s hospitality industry since 1935, working towards improving business conditions across nearly a century.
