Supreme Court Strikes Down Special Liquor License | Providence News

Providence News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 4, 2026 · 1m

Rhode Island’s Supreme Court just struck down a special state law that granted a liquor license to a new Greek restaurant in Wayland Square — a move neighbors fiercely opposed. The court ruled the General Assembly overstepped its authority by creating a one-off exception, violating the Home Rule Amendment and undermining local control. This unanimous decision sends a clear message: the legislature can’t bypass municipal approval for laws affecting specific towns — especially when it comes to alcohol licenses. What began as a neighborhood dispute has now become a landmark case reshaping the…