Help Us Get Cocktails To Go On The Special Session Agenda
UPDATE:
The cocktails to go Bill did not make it on the agenda for the August special session. We are working on supporting a campaign that would call for the Legislative body to call a November Special Session and hear this Bill and others specific to businesses in Oregon. Please see updated scripts below and follow the steps to send to your State Representative. This is a statewide community effort. The more voices we have, the stronger the cause becomes.
Governor Kate Brown announced that a Special Legislative Session will be held in just over a week on August 10th missing from the agenda is a Bill that would allow the OLCC to permit the sale of cocktails to go.
In order to get this Bill on the Agenda, we need every single one of you to TAKE ACTION NOW. We need to fill every inbox of every Representative in the state with emails urging them to take action to help small businesses.
Cocktails to go would create a potential lifeline for small businesses in our state. It would also bring people back to work. Restaurant and food service jobs in Oregon make up 11% of the total workforce. Despite re-opening many of those workers remain unemployed because their workplace is still closed or open with limited capacity and hours. If bar programs could come back during this crisis, it would allow owners to hire back more employees and order ingredients and supplies from local vendors. The potential net of income would not only impact individual restaurants, but also the wide supply chain that restaurants and bars play a crucial part in. Without legislative action now, we fear that 65-80% of restaurants and bars in this state will permanently close.
We know we will need help in this fight so we are hoping to hire a government relations expert, please donate to make that possible (your contribution is tax deductible).
Please use the scripts below or write a message of your own to contact your legislator today. To be effective you need to be a registered voter in the recipients district. They need to hear from owners, operators, vendors, suppliers, guests and especially employees.
Step 1: Find who represents you [Please note you want to message your two representatives in Salem NOT Washington, D.C. As lovely as he is, Mr. Blumenauer can’t help us in this battle. When you follow this link look for the names under House & Senate only.]
Step 2: Send both your Oregon House & Oregon Senate Representatives an email (script below)
Step 3: Tell your friends to call their Reps. Use the graphic below to post on social media, make a video to post on instagram, call/text your friends.
Step 4: Tell us which reps you contacted using this super quick form
Step 5: Donate to support this campaign.
Sample Script From A Business Owner
My name is (insert your name). I own (insert business name) and have employed (insert number) people in your district. Due to coronavirus, my business (insert a comment about how your operations have been impacted, many people you have had to lay off or a decrease in sales or inability to open).
I’m writing to ask that you call for a November Special session to take up the issue of cocktails to go. With emergency requirements that both reduce occupancy and hours of operation during the pandemic, having another method of generating revenue would provide us a lifeline for survival. As we face the long-term structural challenges that COVID-19 has imposed on our business; which was designed to be a gathering space, we are desperate for sustainable tools to help us navigate the new normal.
Restaurants and bars account for 11% of all employment in Oregon. And nearly 65% of the revenue from our businesses recirculates into the local economy keeping vendors, landlords and employees afloat. This small change to Oregon statute will help us keep our doors open and bring people back to work.
This is an URGENT REQUEST. Without your help now there’s a very good chance my business will be permanently closed by the next time the legislature convenes.
Thank you for your consideration,
Name
Business Name
Location
Sample Script From A Staff Member
My name is (insert your name). I used to work at (insert business name). Due to coronavirus, I (insert your story have you lost your job, lost hours — tell them what hardship you’ve endured or what you’re concerned about now)
I’m writing to ask that you call for a November Special session to take up the issue of cocktails to go. With emergency requirements that both reduce occupancy and hours of operation during the pandemic, having another method of generating revenue would allow me to go back to work. Thirty other states currently offer To-Go Cocktails including Washington and California — Oregon needs to join this growing list.
Restaurants and bars account for 11% of all employment in Oregon. We want to go back to work, and we need you to make this small change to Oregon statute to help us. Please take up this issue at the next session!
Thank you for your consideration,
Name
Location
Sample Script From A Patron
My name is ______. I am a resident in your district. Due to coronavirus, many restaurants in my neighborhood are open for take out only. As you may know, most restaurants don’t actually make $$ on food, but on alcoholic drinks. These businesses are why I live where I live, on NE 28th Ave, known as restaurant row. If these businesses do not survive, the heart of my neighborhood will be ripped out.
I’m writing to ask that you call for a November Special session to take up the issue of cocktails to go. . With emergency requirements that both reduce occupancy and hours of operation during the pandemic, having another method of generating revenue would provide businesses a lifeline for survival. As they face the long-term structural challenges that COVID-19 has imposed on business; which was designed to be a gathering space, they are desperate for sustainable tools to help us navigate the new normal.
Restaurants and bars account for 11% of all employment in Oregon. And nearly 65% of the revenue from our businesses recirculates into the local economy keeping vendors, landlords and employees afloat. This small change to Oregon statute will help us keep businesses open and bring people back to work.
This is an URGENT REQUEST. Without your help now there’s a very good chance places of business in my neighborhood will be permanently closed by the next time the legislature convenes.
Thank you for your consideration,
