Government Affairs

Legislative Accomplishments

• Stopped legislation that would require mandatory nutritional labeling for menus and menu boards in all Pennsylvania eating establishments averaging $500,000 or more in food sales over the past 3 years
• Fended off mandatory trans fat legislation at the state level that would have banned the use of trans fat in restaurants in favor of education efforts aimed at both the industry and the public
• Fought for and passed legislation that increased the wholesale discount for Pennsylvania's licensees from 7% to 10% on their purchases of wine & spirits from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
• Fought for and passed gift certificate and gift card reform that eliminates the requirement that restaurants and other businesses escheat unredeemed value to the State Treasury
• Successfully lobbied to establish and protect the cash wage of $2.83 for tipped employees as minimum wage rates have continued to climb
• Enacted unemployment compensation reform so that employers are now able to represent themselves at unemployment compensation hearings without paid legal representation
• Working with the Department of Agriculture, directly impacted the design of new website postings of Pennsylvania restaurant inspection reports
• Blocked a flexible pricing initiative that would have allowed the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to charge different prices for the same products in different regions

Thanks in large part to our PAC donors, our association’s profile has risen in recent years, and we have enjoyed increased legislative impact and success. Our industry faces legislative opportunities and also threats each and every day.  A larger PAC will help ensure that our views are heard on a wide range of important issues including menu labeling, union card check (EFCA), business meal deductibility, food safety and liquor code priorities including eliminating the Johnstown Flood Tax for licensees.