On Wednesday, just after Bostonians’ hopes for a late night bar and restaurant scene deflated, it came to light that there’s still a possibility of enjoying boozy beverages after 2 a.m.. And though much of the legislation’s language pertains specifically to Boston, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone couldn’t be happier.

An amendment filed with the state Senate’s economic growth package Tuesday night (passed by a vote of 37-1) calls for keeping food and drink establishments open later, awards 150 new liquor licenses to Boston and relinquishes licensing power back to the city.

The amendment mirrors one similarly filed by state Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Mayor Marty Walsh, using similar language and aiming for the same goal, which was tacked on to the Senate’s budget proposal but didn’t make it out of the House.

On Tuesday evening, Mayor Curtatone sent a letter (see: below) to the House in which he expressed his full support for lifting the state’s liquor license cap on the grounds that it stifles new business and economic development.

Somerville has witness an explosion of growth over the years, perhaps most exemplified in the recent opening of Assembly Row – a popular new neighborhood chock full of retail outlets, swanky restaurants and illustrious living spaces.

Though Mayor Walsh is relatively new to the licensing battle – I mean, he’s only been in office since January – Mayor Curtatone has been undertaking it since 2011. He currently presides over a city the population of which is 32 percent 25- to 34-year olds – the highest of such a percentage in the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts – and should the MBTA’s late-night pilot program prove to be successful, that number will surely proliferate.

Mayor Curtatone argues in his letter that one of the foundations of economic growth and revitalization is through the food service industry. Where restaurants and bars open, jobs are created. Where jobs are created, people want to move in closer proximity. And with an influx of residents comes the need to innovate on more housing and retail goods.

It’s a chain reaction that, if hampered by Beacon Hill, will subsequently hamper innovation.

“Somerville has reaped the benefits of a growing restaurant culture in our city,” Mayor Curtatone wrote. “We have 119 net new small businesses open since 2010, with much of its revitilization anchored and spurred in part by restaurants, who are often the first neighborhood investors.”

For context, look no further than Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood or Cambridge’s Kendall Square. Not too long ago, these areas were gritty, industrial, office-centric areas riddled with brick warehouses. They’ve since evolved into highly desirable destinations for people and businesses to plant their roots while enjoying booming art scenes, sustainable living spaces and easy access to public transportation. And of course, at the center of both is fine dining.

“Somerville has undertaken diligent, patient planning efforts over the past decade to carefully set a framework for future economic development,” added Mayor Curtatone. “That development is threatened by this antiquated system. But you can help Somerville and every community in Massachusetts realize more jobs, more small business and a stronger economy by passing this bill.”

The bill now goes before a conference committee where members will consider the finer points of both the House’s and Senate’s economic growth bills and consolidate the most effective items.

For places like Somerville and Boston, the potential for an exponential surge in revenue and general morale is limitless.

For a city like Cambridge, a poster child for economic revitalization in its own right, they have much less red tape to swim through. In fact, Cambridge is afforded the rare privilege of awarding on-premise licenses at its own whim.

While some cities are subject to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 138 Section 17, which places a quota on liquor licenses, Cambridge is an exception to the rule.

Prior to 1980, Cambridge abided by the same cap quota rule as every other community. Because the city experienced such a high demand for additional liquor licenses, officials successfully filed a home rule petition exempting Cambridge from the quota rule.

Six years later Harvard Square, the Harvard-Central area and Central Square were subjected to the standard license cap due to public safety concerns, and now 15 specified areas have joined them.

A 2006 amendment made it possible for the city to increase license capacity without having to meet the requirements for breaking the cap.

In essence, Cambridge is free to issue liquor licenses at the behest of itself, assuming it follows the right paper trail.

For this reason alone, Beacon Hill should amend its current law to include, if nothing else, the Greater Boston Area – or better yet, metropolitan regions across the state.

To read more of Mayor Curtatone’s letter to the Massachusetts House, give it a read below. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on all licensing news as they continue to develop.

Liquor License Local Option Cap