Baton Rouge, La.—March 30, 2020—Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome signed an executive order Monday temporarily suspending the City-Parish’s ordinance governing the suspension or revocation of licenses and permits for bars due to non-payment of local taxes.

“We are taking action to give those businesses whose primary revenue source is from the sale of alcohol, and that are closed during this time, the ability and time to recover without the risk of having their license revoked,” said Mayor Broome. “Protecting our economy is a primary concern as we evaluate the long-term impacts of the coronavirus on local and small businesses.”

The Executive Order suspends the ordinance for the remainder of 2020.

The Alcohol Beverage Control board is the agency responsible for carrying out license and permit enforcement. Mayor Broome and ABC Executive Director Chris Cranford have been working together to review ways to assist bars and restaurants through closings and changes to their operations as officials implement measures to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

The executive order follows Mayor Broome order that extends the time for businesses in the City-Parish to file local sales tax returns, as well as the suspension of the parish’s local sign ordinance.

Mayor President Executive Order  Number 2020-03-06