RESOL By: Mr. Golombek and Mr, Franezyk Re: OPPOSE THE NEW YORK STATE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW THE SALE OF WINE IN GROCERY STORES, SUPERMARKETS, DEPARTMENT STORES AND DELIS. Whereas; New York State has once again recommended in this year’s budget, a plan that would allow for the sale of wine in grocery stores, supermarkets, department stores, delis and even in drug stores; and Whereas: This year’s budget proposal by Governor Paterson includes a “compromise” that would allow wine stores to seil chips, snacks and other items. Supermarket and Department store interests wrongly claim that this arrangement would offset the Joss of wine sales that liquor stores would incur; and Whereas: If this proposal becomes law, many liquor stores throughout the state may be put out of business- costing New York State thousands of valuable jobs at a time when we cannot afford any more job losses; and Whereas: If wine sales are allowed in supermarkets, grocery stores, delis and department stores such as Walmart, it is estimated that over 1,000 small businesses will be forced to close, which translates into a loss of over 4,000 jobs. Many of these small businesses are located within the City of Buffalo; and ‘Whereas: Currently there are 2,600 state regulated liquor stores in New York State, which are prohibited from becoming # chain of more than one store and are also restricted by New York State from selling beer, cheese, chips, snacks, glassware and other items commonly requested by customers; and Whereas: The New York State Liquor Authority has recognized that the best way to limit underage persons? access to alcohol is to group the sale of wine with liquor. Wine and liquor stores have greater control over who enters their stores, and who purchases alcohol; and Whereas: Adding up to 19,000 additional outlets touting the sales of wine will cause bigger social problems. Law enforcement agencies across the state have opposed increasing the number of outlets selling wine in the state because they believe that it will lead to an increase in underage drinking and an increase in alcahol related driving accidents and fatalities; and Whereas: No State has approved this concept since 1983, while Tennessee, Kentucky and Colorado joined New York State in rejecting similar proposals last year; and Whereas: Alcohol related fatalities are three times higher in Florida, Texas and California, states where wine is sold in everywhere, as compared to New York where wine is, sold at independently owned, state-licensed stores; andWhereas: Whereas: Whereas: Just last month, the Governor's own Law Review Commission on the State Liguor Authority said the Governor should put the idea on hold because it requires a significant and independent review; and ‘This proposal is only a quick fix to the state budget which will bring in an influx of cash for a couple of years as a result of the new licensing fees, but will cost the state mote money in the long run due to unemployment, lost income tax, emptied retail space and increased social costs; and ‘Two bills, A8632 & $5787, an act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to enacting the wine industry and liquor store revitalization act; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto, have been introduced in the New York State Assembly and Senate that would allow grocery and drug stores purchase a license to sell wine; ‘Now, Therefore be it Resolved: ‘That the Common Council of the City of Buffalo goes on record against any changes proposed by New York State that would allow the sale of wine in supermarkets, grocery stores, neighborhood delis, department stores and drug stores; and Be it Further Resolved: ‘That the Common Council of the City of Buffalo hereby goes on record in ‘opposition of Bills A8632 & $5787, an act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to enacting the wine industry and liquor store revitalization act; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto; and Be it Further Resolved: “That the City Clerk sends certified copies of this resolution to New York State Governor David Patterson, to the New York State Senate, to the New York State Assembly, to members of the Westem New York Legislative delegation, to the Erie County Legislature, to the Last Store on Main Street, to the New York State Liquor Store Association for comments. fifo — arth Saale geese ese Tosefh Golombek, Jr. David A. Franczyk