The Texas Tribune
Gov. Greg Abbott allowed alcohol to go with an emergency waiver last year. Lawmakers want to make that option permanent in hopes of helping struggling restaurants.
Texas lawmakers are pushing to permanently allow restaurants to sell alcohol for pickup and delivery orders, which Gov. Greg Abbott allowed with an emergency waiver starting in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
State Rep. Charlie Geren, a restaurant owner, filed legislation that would provide an industry crushed by the coronavirus pandemic with the new, permanent revenue stream. The Fort Worth Republican said his Railhead Smokehouse restaurant doesn’t have a mixed beverage permit. That means his barbecue joint, called “a Fort Worth staple” by Texas Monthly, would not benefit from the bill.