Baton Rouge Metro Council member Ulysses Addison, D-District 2, said Monday he will propose several amendments to the original ordinance and does not foresee any further delays in voting on the measure.
Addison, who proposed the ordinance before the council that would ban drink specials, said groups on both sides have fully discussed the ordinance, which will go before the council again Wednesday.
Addison proposed the ordinance in October, and the council reviewed it in December and February.
The ordinance would prohibit bars in Baton Rouge from selling drinks at any price under the retail price, offering free drinks, holding games with alcohol involved or advertising alcohol-related promotions.
One amendment Addison said he will propose is a clause that would allow bars to sell alcohol at 60 percent below the retail price.
Previously the ordinance stated that a bar could not sell alcohol below the retail price, but the amendment would allow for some specials up to 60 percent off.
Addison said the ordinance states the drink special ban will begin at 8 p.m., but he said he will propose an amendment to move the time to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.
Addison said he understood bar owners’ requests to push the time back since many establishments do not open until after 8 p.m.
The final amendment Addison will propose is an exemption for restaurants and caterers.
Addison said he thinks there has been enough debate about the issue and will not ask for another delay.
Patrick Downs, Student Government vice president, said he thinks students have made their opinions heard on the issue and have outlined why they do not agree with the proposal.
“I hope they wouldn’t delay it right into the middle of spring break,” Downs said. “I hope we can go ahead and get to a resolution on this issue.”
 
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