BUFFALO, N.Y. — The New York State Liquor Authority said it has roughly 6,000 items currently awaiting approval.
Hodgson Russ LLP Partner Rafael Pignataro said the backlog includes applications for new licenses, corporate changes and special permits.
"The SLA's always had an issue with staffing [and] technological issues, so this has been going on for quite some time," Pignataro said.
For new bars and restaurant applications, he said it means wait times of at least six to nine months and six to eight weeks for temporary licenses. In the meantime, the attorney said many of the firm's clients still have bills like rent to pay.
"For a lot of these restaurants and businesses that rely on sales from alcohol obviously as revenues, it puts them in a really difficult and practically impossible situation," Pignataro said.
Tuesday, the board approved the formation of a special committee with the power to address some of the backlog. The committee, based out of Buffalo, consists of seven senior staffers with authority to approve applications that do not face opposition or have complex or controversial issues.
The first meeting is Thursday with plans to run for six months.
"The best I can say is that people who have submitted applications hopefully are going to see movement on those applications within the next couple months," Pignataro said.
The SLA has identified categories of applications it believes should be addressed in groups. The special committee will not deny any applications but rather send any it identifies as needing further review back to the full board.
Pignataro said the industry has felt the economic impact of the backlog and the new commissioner made addressing it a priority when she began in June.
"There were lawmakers earlier this year who had started to feel it from their supporters and their constituents, and there were a number of articles put out about the backlog and it certainly affects the economy," he said.
The board said it plans to provide a progress update in January or February.