“Massachusetts stopped allowing time-of-day drink discounts in 1984 after a fatal drunken-driving incident, and some other states followed. The proposal from Cyr, the state senator, would allow municipalities to make their own choice about allowing happy-hour deals or not.”
“Happy-hour proponents insist that public-safety infrastructure has transformed since the 1980s, and that ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft make it easier than ever to avoid driving after tipping back a few with co-workers.”
“Cyr said other states have loosened happy-hour regulations in recent years and haven’t seen increases in drunken-driving reports. Still, it has been an uphill battle for Cyr and his allies, who are now trying for the third time to repeal the ban in the state legislature.”
“The Massachusetts Restaurant Association has opposed the measure, claiming that a race between restaurants to roll out happy-hour specials would cut into profits and burden the industry.”