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Senator Ed McBroom sponsored bill 230 which passed out of Michigan’s Upper Chamber earlier this week, part of a package designed to give relief to bars and restaurants. McBroom’s legislation focuses specifically on the former, waiving liquor license fees for this year and increasing the discount on alcohol taxes through the end of 2023.
McBroom says a companion bill also passed to help restaurants, and there is a lot of interest in the Michigan House to approve its own version of the legislation. He says not all members of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration are as enthusiastic, citing budget concerns. Overall, alcohol sales were up double digits last year statewide through all points of sale. McBroom says those who remain under curfew and capacity limits shouldn’t be coerced into buying a license that they can’t fully use.
When asked about the Governor’s new “Vacc to Normal” plan McBroom says he was initially heartened by the use of firm metrics to allow reopening. Further examination of the proposal has soured him on the idea, though.
You can learn more about the “Vacc to Normal” policy here.
