KANSAS CITY, Mo. — City Council has been tossing around an ordinance to lower restrictions for people who serve alcohol in Kansas City, Missouri.
Regulations were put in place for public safety reasons in order to keep customer’s private information like credit cards and I.D.’s away from felons. But that soon might change.
A range of people in the restaurant industry debated over an ordinance that will drop liquor card requirements in the city.
Right now, anyone who serves liquor must pay a $42 fee. Half is used for a criminal background check; the rest goes to the regulated industries division. This rule prevents felons from working in the industry and protects private information.
Councilman Scott Wagner introduced an ordinance to drop the requirements altogether. And some agreed.
“We’re not going to try and hire murderers and felons and rapists and what not. We do our due diligence. We don’t believe regulated industries to do that for us,” said Martin Elton, who supports the new ordinance.
Not everyone is on board about giving felons a second chance opportunity.
“They just have access that might cause them to slip,” said Walter May.
May testified against the change.
After about an hour and a half of concerns, no decision was made.
City Council will meet again in two weeks to talk about this ordinance.
