Hamilton County referendum could lead to new liquor laws

HAMILTON, Tennessee. Some Hamilton County voters will be deciding whether to cut red tape on what some local restaurants must do to be able to serve alcohol with their drink.

This issue will affect unincorporated areas of Hamilton County.

District 7 Commissioner Lee Helton is among those advocating for change.

Helton said existing bureaucratic red tape makes it difficult for local establishments to compete.

“Right now, despite all the red tape, they just can’t,” Helton said, referring to the problems restaurants face in parts of Hamilton County where they can sell beer but not cocktails containing liquor.

Restaurants can apply for a state liquor permit, but Helton said the process takes a long time and offers no guarantee of approval.

In an effort to address these issues, Helton introduced a referendum in April that will appear on the November ballot.

The measure would allow county residents to vote directly on changes to current liquor regulations.

Local restaurant owners are expected to evaluate how this potential change could impact their ability to compete with out-of-county establishments.

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