DYER
STAFF REPORT
The effort to loosen alcohol laws in the “damp” cities of Kyle and Buda crossed a major hurdle last week, with a local political action committee submitting the results of its petition drive to each city’s secretary.
Better Business for Hays collected about 800 verifiable signatures in Buda and more than 1,750 signatures in Kyle. Under state law, the group was required to gather 613 signatures in Buda and 1,625 in Kyle in order to force a vote.
The city secretaries have 30 days to verify the signatures and present the findings to the City Council. The council must then call the alcohol referendum to be held on the next uniform election day, which is in May for Kyle and in November for Buda.
The group, which says it has raised more than 75 percent of its $80,000 goal to fund the petition drive and election campaigns, wants to alter several aspects of local alcohol laws. The referendum would allow bars and nightclubs; allow restaurants to qualify for a beer-and-wine permit from the state, instead of a more costly full liquor license; and allow for liquor stores in Buda. The city of Kyle already allows liquor stores.
Herb Dyer, the vice president of Seton Medical Center Hays and Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce president, said loosening alcohol laws would entice more restaurants and entertainment venues to locate in Kyle and Buda. That, in turn, would attract more physicians and health professionals, he said.
