Senate Bill 216 would create a new class of liquor licenses available to senior living facilities to sell and serve alcohol by the glass to residents and their guests.
The bill passed out of committee with bipartisan support, but stalled on the Senate floor as lawmakers wrestle with state budget cuts.
Allen, a Traverse City Republican, said the seniors' liquor license bill is a small part of a broader economic development effort that includes housing, transportation, and community services to make Michigan more attractive and livable for seniors.
"The Michigan Municipal League made a compelling case that there are two classifications of people needed to maintain the vibrancy of our communities; one is young folks and one is old folks," Allen said.
Illustation Photo courtesy: southgateatshrewsbury.com
Allen said the bill needs some work to address what facilities would qualify to dispense booze to seniors. It's currently limited to 20 licenses sold to for-profit organizations that operate any type of senior living facility.
Ken Osborne, Allen's legislative director, said the hope is to craft a definition that limits such licenses to full-scale retirement communities that feature significant independent and assisted living populations.
Area publicly owned facilities such as the Grand Traverse Pavilions or not-for-profits such as Hope Village wouldn't be eligible.
That wouldn't bother Julia Grimes, administrator for Hope Village. She said the Lutheran Social Services of Michigan-owned independent and assisted living facility has no interest in obtaining a liquor licence.
"The last thing I want to do is get into selling drinks," Grimes said.
Georgia Durga, director of the Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging, said she believes seniors at some facilities would like to be able to order wine with meals.
"I know there's people who would like that; it's part of their lifestyle," Durga said. "I think it would be nice, but there would have to be some monitoring and I wonder what it would do to housing costs."
Cindy Robertson of Arbor House, a small assisted living facility on Old Mission Peninsula, said a cocktail hour is part of many seniors' life patterns and she allows alcohol consumption at Arbor House if seniors' doctors approve.
But Robertson said most senior facilities are barely making ends meet, and she doubts extra costs for licensing, alcohol and staff training make sense for any but the largest facilities.
Allen said he doubts the Senate will take up the bill again before November. [rc]
Brian McGillivary
E-Mail: bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com
© Copyright 2009 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
October 1, 2009
USA: Three retirement homes 'must-haves' - churches, hospitals and bars
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TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan / The Record-Eagle / October 1, 2009
Liquor licenses mulled for senior housing
By Brian McGillivary
TRAVERSE CITY -- Senior citizens who search for a place to live usually include three must-haves on their checklist: churches, hospitals and bars. So says state Sen. Jason Allen, who's drafted legislation to create more bars specifically for seniors.
Senate Bill 216 would create a new class of liquor licenses available to senior living facilities to sell and serve alcohol by the glass to residents and their guests.
The bill passed out of committee with bipartisan support, but stalled on the Senate floor as lawmakers wrestle with state budget cuts.
Allen, a Traverse City Republican, said the seniors' liquor license bill is a small part of a broader economic development effort that includes housing, transportation, and community services to make Michigan more attractive and livable for seniors.
"The Michigan Municipal League made a compelling case that there are two classifications of people needed to maintain the vibrancy of our communities; one is young folks and one is old folks," Allen said.
Illustation Photo courtesy: southgateatshrewsbury.com
Allen said the bill needs some work to address what facilities would qualify to dispense booze to seniors. It's currently limited to 20 licenses sold to for-profit organizations that operate any type of senior living facility.
Ken Osborne, Allen's legislative director, said the hope is to craft a definition that limits such licenses to full-scale retirement communities that feature significant independent and assisted living populations.
Area publicly owned facilities such as the Grand Traverse Pavilions or not-for-profits such as Hope Village wouldn't be eligible.
That wouldn't bother Julia Grimes, administrator for Hope Village. She said the Lutheran Social Services of Michigan-owned independent and assisted living facility has no interest in obtaining a liquor licence.
"The last thing I want to do is get into selling drinks," Grimes said.
Georgia Durga, director of the Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging, said she believes seniors at some facilities would like to be able to order wine with meals.
"I know there's people who would like that; it's part of their lifestyle," Durga said. "I think it would be nice, but there would have to be some monitoring and I wonder what it would do to housing costs."
Cindy Robertson of Arbor House, a small assisted living facility on Old Mission Peninsula, said a cocktail hour is part of many seniors' life patterns and she allows alcohol consumption at Arbor House if seniors' doctors approve.
But Robertson said most senior facilities are barely making ends meet, and she doubts extra costs for licensing, alcohol and staff training make sense for any but the largest facilities.
Allen said he doubts the Senate will take up the bill again before November. [rc]
Brian McGillivary
E-Mail: bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com
© Copyright 2009 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
Senate Bill 216 would create a new class of liquor licenses available to senior living facilities to sell and serve alcohol by the glass to residents and their guests.
The bill passed out of committee with bipartisan support, but stalled on the Senate floor as lawmakers wrestle with state budget cuts.
Allen, a Traverse City Republican, said the seniors' liquor license bill is a small part of a broader economic development effort that includes housing, transportation, and community services to make Michigan more attractive and livable for seniors.
"The Michigan Municipal League made a compelling case that there are two classifications of people needed to maintain the vibrancy of our communities; one is young folks and one is old folks," Allen said.
Illustation Photo courtesy: southgateatshrewsbury.com
Allen said the bill needs some work to address what facilities would qualify to dispense booze to seniors. It's currently limited to 20 licenses sold to for-profit organizations that operate any type of senior living facility.
Ken Osborne, Allen's legislative director, said the hope is to craft a definition that limits such licenses to full-scale retirement communities that feature significant independent and assisted living populations.
Area publicly owned facilities such as the Grand Traverse Pavilions or not-for-profits such as Hope Village wouldn't be eligible.
That wouldn't bother Julia Grimes, administrator for Hope Village. She said the Lutheran Social Services of Michigan-owned independent and assisted living facility has no interest in obtaining a liquor licence.
"The last thing I want to do is get into selling drinks," Grimes said.
Georgia Durga, director of the Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging, said she believes seniors at some facilities would like to be able to order wine with meals.
"I know there's people who would like that; it's part of their lifestyle," Durga said. "I think it would be nice, but there would have to be some monitoring and I wonder what it would do to housing costs."
Cindy Robertson of Arbor House, a small assisted living facility on Old Mission Peninsula, said a cocktail hour is part of many seniors' life patterns and she allows alcohol consumption at Arbor House if seniors' doctors approve.
But Robertson said most senior facilities are barely making ends meet, and she doubts extra costs for licensing, alcohol and staff training make sense for any but the largest facilities.
Allen said he doubts the Senate will take up the bill again before November. [rc]
Brian McGillivary
E-Mail: bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com
© Copyright 2009 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.
