2 AM Closing Time for Erie County Bars? It’s Back on the Table

The Erie County Legislature will take up a controversial proposal on Thursday.  They'll consider a plan to roll back the closing time for Erie County bars and taverns from 4 AM to 2 AM.  

Cheektowaga legislator Ted Morton made the motion in October after Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs pushed for it back last summer.  Even though it's made a lot of headlines it failed to gain much support among legislators.  That proposal likely will be defeated when the legislature votes on the measure.

There's an old saying "nothing good happens after 2 AM."  That's basically the inspiration for the proposal.  Law enforcement backs the plan because of the problems it sometimes creates.  Critics say the later closing time gives people two extra hours to get drunk, but some point out an earlier closing time would just move the whole process ahead by two hours.

The proposal could also have a negative effect on the economy; bars would lose two hours of business and employees would lose out on work hours.

By state law all New York bars must close by 4 AM.  Some Chicago bars stay open til 5 AM.  What do you think?  Good proposal or leave the closing time as it is?