Mayor Todd Strange Vetoes Ordinance Raising Minimum Age to Enter Bars
Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange is vetoing an ordinance passed by the city council that raised the legal age to enter a bar or lounge from 19 to 21.
The city council passed the ordinance unanimously last week, after a shooting at Centennial Hill Bar and Grill killed 3 people and injured 5 others.
At a briefing on Thursday, Strange said he doesn’t think the age ordinance is the answer.
In a letter to council members, Strange says he is vetoing it after hearing strong opposition from local residents and business owners. Strange says he also received a letter from the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, objecting to the ordinance, and calling it “in conflict with state law,” which currently allows 19-year-olds to enter bars and lounges.
The city council does have the option to vote to override the mayor’s veto.
