by Emily Luxen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro Council Members passed a memorializing resolution opposing state legislation that would allow downtown Nashville businesses to sell to-go cups of alcohol.
The vote was 30 to 3, and several council members spoke out on the issue. Council Member Emily Evans said several downtown business owners expressed concerns to her, and she worried the bill would change the culture in downtown.
"Nashville is a family destination," said Council Member Evans. "People come here because they are comfortable, they want to hear music and it is safe. This would make it an adult only environment."
"This is a bad law," said Council Member Robert Duvall. "I will be on the hill tomorrow lobbying those I know to stop this at the state level."
The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, and Rep. Mike Turner, D-Old Hickory, and was introduced at the request of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. Officials with the CVC have said they believe the measure would boost tourism dollars.
The bill would allow bars in downtown to sell to-go cups of beer and liquor which customers could take onto sidewalks and into other bars.
Even if the General Assembly approved the law, Metro Council would still have to pass an ordinance allowing the to-go cups. Right now, this legislation hasn't made it out of a house committee. It is scheduled to come up again on March 12.
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