4-13-2023 3:02pm

Morristown Mayor Absent from "Mayors for Liquor License Reform" Coalition

Governor Announces Statewide, Bipartisan Coalition of “Mayors for Liquor License Reform,” Urges Reforms to Support Small Businesses, Downtowns, and Economic Development.

Morristown, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy recently announced the formation of a bipartisan coalition called "Mayors for Liquor License Reform" during the New Jersey Conference of Mayors' 58th Annual Spring Conference in Atlantic City.

The coalition, aiming to support the Murphy Administration's comprehensive plan to reform and modernize the state's antiquated, Prohibition-era liquor license laws, signed an open letter claiming "the present system favors the economically advantaged while hampering mom-and-pop businesses and towns with smaller populations.”

The 90 mayors who have joined the coalition represent urban, suburban, and rural towns across New Jersey, with the common goal of benefiting from the economic development that modernizing the state's liquor license laws could bring. However, Morristown Mayor is not among the 90 who have signed on to support the reform.

Governor Murphy said the coalition's mayors represent over one million residents of historic small towns, growing townships, and mid-sized cities, as well as hundreds of small restaurants that lack access to liquor licenses.

Despite the significant support from mayors across the state, Morristown's mayor has not yet signed the letter supporting the reforms. The coalition argues that the current system favors the economically advantaged while hampering small businesses and towns with smaller populations.

Governor Murphy first announced his goal of reforming New Jersey's liquor license laws during his State of the State address in January. His proposal, introduced in the Legislature by Senator Gordon Johnson and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, includes a comprehensive plan that aims to gradually phase out the existing population cap on licenses, maintain local control, establish progressive prices and associated fees, repatriate inactive licenses, eliminate the secondary market, permanently ease restrictions on breweries, and provide support for existing license holders.

The proposed reforms have garnered support from numerous chefs, restaurant owners, brewery owners, and now 90 mayors, all of whom advocate for a more equitable playing field and the potential to generate massive economic opportunities for small businesses and communities statewide.

As the Murphy Administration continues to engage stakeholders and advocate for equitable reforms, it remains to be seen whether Morristown's mayor will join the growing list of mayors supporting the "Mayors for Liquor License Reform" coalition.