Albany, N.Y., November 17--State Senator George Winner (R-C-I, Elmira) is wondering if state bureaucratic delays are hindering valuable economic activity within New York’s tourism and hospitality industries.

Winner said that he’s heard from restaurant owners within his legislative district with increasing frequency over the past year about lengthy delays in gaining approval for liquor licenses and so he’s requested information from New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) Chairman Daniel Boyle about the SLA’s caseload and average time frame for processing a license approval.

"It’s my belief that the ability of the State Liquor Authority to initiate and implement an expedited liquor licensing process could help jump-start statewide economic activity that can be helpful during this time of economic and fiscal crisis," Winner wrote to Boyle in a letter.

New York’s hospitality and tourism industries generate significant economic activity statewide. Statistics from the National Restaurant Association show that in 2008 New York’s restaurants will produce $28.1 billion in sales and that every $1 spent in our restaurants generates close to an additional $1 for the state economy. Restaurant jobs account for 7.5 percent of New York’s total employment, according to the association, and generate tremendous tax revenues for the state. Approximately 25 jobs are created for each additional $1 million spent in New York’s eating-and-drinking establishments.

Winner has asked for the following information from the SLA:

1.) How many liquor license applications are currently pending before the Authority?

2.) On average, what is the Authority’s estimated time frame for fully processing an application?

3.) Under current conditions, is it possible for the Authority to implement an expedited license approval process?

"Our response to this economic and fiscal crisis can’t just focus on cutting on the spending side. What are we doing to encourage economic activity and growth?" said Winner, who chairs the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee.