Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists mainly of transcripts of testimony taken by the commission at public hearings in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany.

The hearings were held to gather facts and opinions on issues dealt with in studies completed for the commission, including whether to continue the moratorium preventing licensing of new retail package stores; whether to continue current distance requirements between package stores; whether sale of liquor by the bottle should only be in specialized stores; whether to continue the state policy of compulsory retail price maintenance; and whether to continue the food requirement in bars and grills.

Persons with an interest in or expert knowledge of alcoholic beverage control policy or related issues testified at the hearings. Witnesses included: State Liquor Authority officials; other state officials; local Alcoholic Beverage Control board officials; alcoholic beverage control officials from other states; trade association representatives; liquor retailers; restaurant and bar owners; economists; sociologists; and clergy.

The series also includes abstracts of witness testimony and written statements submitted by some witnesses at the New York City and Buffalo hearings.