Politics & Government

Extended Bar Hours Fail to Pass Muster in Council

Mayor Vincent Gray proposed keeping bars open later on both weekdays and weekends to raise extra revenue.

District residents can forget having at bars. A District Council committee voted down Mayor Vincent Gray's proposal to extend hours to 3 a.m on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends. Gray had hoped the extended hours would provide additional revenue. 

"There was concern expressed that this will encourage drunk driving, and there is no appetite by Metro to increase the hours of bus or rail to 4 a.m.," said Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham, according to WAMU.

Georgetown's Advisory Neighborhood Commission during an April meeting, citing concerns over noise, public drunkenness and safety.

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The 3-2 vote Tuesday, however, means that the Council will have to find an estimated $3 million in additional revenue to make up for what Gray expected the new hours to bring in. Council members Graham, Tommy Wells and Michael Brown voted against the proposal. Council members Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander voted in favor of it.

The Washington Post reports that Graham, Wells, Brown and Barry have suggested a 6-cents per drink alchohol excise tax to make up for lost revenue. But WTOP reports  that Council member Evans would not support any such tax.

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"If it comes to my committee I won't move it, so that's that," Evans told WTOP.

According to the Washington Post, the committee approved a proposal to allow bars to remain open until 4 a.m. during the presidential inauguration every four years. Additionally, liquor stores would be able to open earlier, at 7 a.m.


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