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Gov. Murphy proposes ending NJ's cap on liquor licenses for a single town
By
Louis C. Hochman
Published Jan 10, 2023
Modified Jan 10, 2023
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From video stream by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's Office
By
Louis C. Hochman
Published Jan 10, 2023
Modified Jan 10, 2023
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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is proposing a major rethink of how the state approaches liquor regulation – by easing restrictions on liquor licenses that have created $1 million-plus barriers to entry for would-be bar owners in some communities.
In his State of the State address on Tuesday afternoon, Murphy proposed the state “gradually relax” a population cap on liquor licenses — local governments are only allowed to issue one license per 3,000 residents – until it’s eventually eliminated completely, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. Eventually, the restriction would be eliminated in its entirety, Murphy planned to say.
“This won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. We project that overhauling our liquor license regime will create upwards of 10,000 jobs annually and, over the next 10 years, generate up to $10 billion in new economic activity and $1 billion in new state and local revenues,” his prepared remarks read.
His remarks weren’t specific about the timetable for relaxing the requirement, but the governor said municipalities would still retain local control that was “so critical in making sure our downtowns retain the character that makes them so special.” He also proposed a tax credit for businesses that had already invested in liquor licenses, which can go for more than $1 million in some towns.
Murphy also said he sought to remove “outdated” licensing and operating restrictions on craft breweries, distilleries and wineries, but his remarks weren’t specific about how those would change. In July, the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control began enforcing limits on the number of events those facilities could hold, and restricted collaborations with food trucks or similar vendors to provide food. The governor didn’t say if he was specifically endorsing already proposed legislation to loosen restrictions.
"People from all across the Northeast, and indeed from across the country, are coming to taste what is being poured from bottles, taps and barrels across New Jersey," the prepared remarks read. "They are coming to enjoy one of the best and most diverse restaurant scenes of any state. It is absolutely imperative that we keep this renaissance going."
Murphy began his State of the State address at 2 p.m. Legislative Republicans planned to livestream a response via Facebook at 3 p.m.
Also, according to his prepared remarks:
- New Jersey will extend the deadline for its ANCHOR property tax relief program one month, to Feb. 28. The program can mean thousands of dollars in property tax rebates — Murphy cited the example of a middle-class family making $125,000 and paying the statewide average of $9,300 getting $1,500 back – but requires residents to apply. As of last month, about half of the 2 million residents who are eligible hadn’t applied, state officials say. The state originally set a deadline of Dec. 30, but extended it to Jan. 31.
- Murphy said he’ll propose a new “Boardwalk Fund” to partner with Shore towns and make infrastructure updates, but his remarks didn’t discuss how it will be funded, how awards will be made or what level of funding he envisions.
Tagged
economy
new jersey
Politics
Louis C. Hochman
After about two decades in (mostly) New Jersey-focused commercial print, digital and digital-but-radio-adjacent news, Lou stumbled into member-supported news in early 2021, as the editor and CEO of Montclair Local. There, he (hopes he) expanded enterprise, brought more sophistication to digital storytelling and moved the nonprofit newsroom closer to long-term financial sustainability. He helped lead the Local to its fourth consecutive General Excellence award from the New Jersey Press Association — the NJPA's highest honor with judges noting the paper's work to strip away layers of government opacity, to hold power to account, to make news accessible for more members of the community, to share the stories and concerns of more facets of the community and to tell compelling stories across multiple media. He's excited to continue the same ethic — news as a public service — at NYPR as the New Jersey and suburbs editor, drawing on the extraordinary talents of reporters including Karen Yi and Nancy Solomon. Lou lives in Philly (that commute!) with his partner and their two cats, about whom and about which he speaks incessantly.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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