March 2021: Policy Lookout
We are excited to introduce you to our new Policy Lookout. Once a month we will provide a snapshot of the policy issues that have the potential to impact the independent restaurant and bar community and share how you can contribute your voice to the conversation. We appreciate that between running businesses, adjusting to the ever changing COVID 19 world, trying to plan for the future AND also deal with natural disasters like fire/snow/ice storms makes it pretty hard to keep up on all the state and national policy activity.
We welcome your input. If there’s an issue you’d like us to track, or provide additional information on please send us an email tohello@indprestaurants.org. We also encourage you to complete this poll that will help us understand your policy priorities.
Federal Restaurant Relief Has Passed
Yesterday, the Senate voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, which includes $28.6 billion in funding for a grant program to support independent restaurants and bars. 11 million people working in independent restaurants and bars and over 500,000 small businesses across the nation will soon have the relief they need to survive this crisis.
Once the grant program is signed into law, the hard work begins to ensure independent restaurant owners and operators have the resources they need to access it efficiently, and that there are enough funds to go around. We know $28.6 billion is only a fraction of what our industry needs to get to the other side of the crisis. That’s why the Independent Restaurant Coalition, our national partners, continue to advocate on Capitol Hill to make sure the program gets replenished as needed—and they will need our help to do it.
Sign up for email updates so you receive all the latest information and resources necessary to take advantage of federal grants when the time comes: saverestaurants.com/join.
Senate Bill 317 : Permanent Cocktails To Go Legislation
Senate Bill 317 will permanently allow full on premise licensees to sell cocktails in sealed containers Currently the ability to sell cocktails to go expires shortly after the state of emergency ends. Given the independent restaurant community’s work on behalf of this issue this past year, we are very excited to see this bill proposed.
If you would like to continue to have the option to sell cocktails to go now is the time to contact your state representative to share how the ability to offer your guests this product has supported your business.
OLCC — ‘Distilled Spirits Floor Pricing’
The OLCC has a new rule up for consideration that would create a price floor for distilled spirits. This means that any bottle of liquor currently priced below the set price for the specific bottle size would be increased. This primarily affects the lowest priced liquor.
To see the rule in its entirety, check it out here. This rule is currently open for public comment and you may submit written testimony by March 15th, 2021, at 5:00 PM to olcc.rulemaking@oregon.gov.
Oregon House Bill 3296 : Tax Increase on Beer & Wine by an Average of 800%
Oregon House Bill 3296 seeks to increase the state's beer tax by 2,800% and wine tax by 1,700%. This bill impacts breweries, wineries, restaurants,and bars. Nigel Jaquiss’s article in Willamette Week provides context on the creation of this bill . The increased tax revenue would be utilized by the Oregon Health Authority to support mental health services and addiction services. .
To take action on Bill 3296, reach out to your local state representatives now and let them know how this would impact you and your business. If you are not sure who represents you in Salem, use this tool to look them up based on your address. There is also a petition by the Oregon Beverage Alliance that is gathering signatures against this bill.