Chuck Moran, Executive Director

The following is a statement from Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, concerning today’s action by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to waive certain licensing fees for 2021.

Today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced they will be waiving some liquor licensing fees in 2021, something that the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association has been requesting as part of a larger industry survival and recovery package.

While waiving certain licensing fees won’t bring that much financial relief, it is a matter of principle to help those who are able to survive until then, and as we have said in the past, it is one piece of the puzzle.

We would have liked to have also seen 2020 fees waived or returned to licensees, something that apparently the PLCB could have done.

Clearly, more needs to be done to help small business taverns and licensed restaurants that have sacrificed the most of any industry during this pandemic. They have been the tip of the spear in this battle since day one, and have played an important role to first flatten the curve and later getting school children back in class.

Once our legislature returns to Harrisburg in November, we call upon them to take necessary steps to legislate additional forms of relief and assistance.

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About the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association
The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is a statewide association based in Harrisburg, representing small business taverns and licensed restaurants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Association formed in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons.

Members of the media interested in this topic can call the PLBTA Media Relations Department at (717) 232-8671.