New York governor vetoes online liquor bill

Alcohol retailers have shared their dismay after the New York governor vetoed a bill that would have allowed greater freedom to sell alcoholic products online.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has vetoed a bill that would have given greater freedom to online liquor sales in New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo claimed the measure would have made the state a “haven for entities intent on breaking other state’s laws”.

He argued the legislation would have made it trickier for the State Liquor Authority to crack down on merchants who ship alcohol to states where our-of-state purchases are banned.

“We are obviously very disappointed,” said Daniel Posner, president of the National Association of Wine Retailers and owner of a White Plains wine shop, as reported by the New York Daily News. 

“You are just limiting selection to consumers with acts like this.”

The bill proposal came about following the Liquor Authority’s clash with an Albany-based wine and liquor retailer, and attracted interest from other retailers throughout the state.

Fears were raised that a veto would be troublesome for alcohol shops in New York and affect internet sales throughout the US by encouraging other states to take similar action.

However, Cuomo said he understood the need to update state alcohol laws and instructed the Liquor Authority to host a series of roundtable discussions to tackle the subject in March next year.