ALBANY (AP) -- There's good news for business owners in New York state looking to sell alcohol at their establishments.
Gov. David Paterson's latest emergency state budget bill approved by the Legislature includes nearly $2.5 million in funding for technology improvements at the State Liquor Authority.
Paterson says the funds will be used for enhancements to the agency's liquor licensing system. The governor says improving the system will help the SLA process applications faster.
The agency in charge of issuing liquor licenses to bars, restaurants, supermarkets and other businesses has come under harsh criticism in recent years for bureaucratic red tape blamed for long delays in approving pending applications.
In August 2009, the SLA had a licensing backlog of 3,000 pending applications. State officials say the backlog is now under 1,200 and Paterson has ordered the SLA to eliminate the backlog by October.
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