Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has once again said that he would like to see to-go alcohol sales permanently legalized in the nation's second-largest state, and a state legislator has now signed on to file a bill aimed at doing so, as pushes are underway throughout the U.S. to make sure the popular coronavirus accommodation sticks around.
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 29: During a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas ... [+] 
Abbott said in a tweet featuring a link to a story about restaurants pushing to make alcohol to-go permanent that "This has my support!"
State Rep. Tan Parker then joined in, saying he'd file a bill aimed at doing so in the next legislative session.
Texas, like many states around the country, has loosened laws when it comes to alcohol sales during the pandemic-though those temporary allowances have gained popularity, as calls have come to make the measures permanent.
Allowing to-go sales has mainly been put in place as a lifeline for struggling restaurants during the pandemic that had to shut doors and normally couldn't sell alcohol to-go even though alcohol sales reportedly account for around 30% of restaurant revenue.
Whether it be in the form of a petition, industry push or even actual legislation, many in areas across the country seem to agree with Abbott's view.
That's certainly the case in Ohio, where the state's House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill earlier this month aimed at making alcohol to-go permanent by a margin of 84-8. A New York state senator has also said he will introduce a bill to continue allowing alcohol to-go-which has become extremely popular in New York City -for at least another two years.
Abbott had said in a tweet in April that "From what I hear from Texans, we may just let this keep on going forever," referencing to-go alcohol sales.
Even as bars have been allowed to reopen and restaurants can now operate at 75% capacity, Abbott has allowed to-go alcohol to stay around, and restaurants in the state now seem fully onboard with the effort of making to-go drinks permanent. The Texas Restaurant Association sent a letter to Abbott Thursday asking the governor to continue allowing to-go alcohol sales in Texas.
Just being able to take a drink to-go doesn't mean it's legal to start sipping while walking down the street. Allowing that would require changing open container laws, which exist almost everywhere in the U.S.
Pandemic's Boozy Legacy: To-Go Alcohol Could Stick Around In New York, Texas (Forbes)
Ohio House passes bill to make to-go alcohol sales permanent (WBNS-TV)
I'm a New Orleans-based news reporter for Forbes covering the U.S. South and breaking news. Previously, I wrote for The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate covering
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