Albany, N.Y. - Two state legislators want to allow large sports stadiums in New York, including Ralph Wilson Stadium, to turn on their beer taps an hour earlier, at 11 a.m., on Sundays.
Sen. Mark J. Grisanti and Sen. George D. Maziarz, the co-sponsors of the bill, think that the earlier hour of drinking would be more supervised than parking lot tailgating parties, and could reduce underage, irresponsible and binge drinking.
"The idea was to get the fans out of the parking lots earlier," said Sen. Maziarz. "[The Bills] thought there was better control inside the stadium."
Currently, drinking is allowed outside, but not inside, Ralph Wilson Stadium from the hours of 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday. New York State Law prevents beer sales before noon on Sunday, a law that dates back to colonial times.
The bill to sell drinks an hour earlier did not pass before the State Legislature adjourned for the summer on Thursday. However, it is expected to be brought up again when the legislature reconvenes in the fall.
