OT: Craft Beer and the 2011 Legislative Session

[MaverickAG]

Sorry to drag up the old thread but I thought some might be interested in the following articles. These show what most of us already know... this issue, and many others, are much more about politics than any sort of genuine interest in furthering the state of Mississippi. Keep this is mind when contacting your representatives.<div>
</div><div>http://msbusiness.com/editorsnotebook/2011/01/17/kirby-bryant-prove-to-be-anti-business-dennis-for-personal-responsibility/</div><div>http://msbusiness.com/magnoliamarketplace/2011/01/17/craft-beer-bill-in-the-house-like-senate-companion-dead-on-arrival/</div><div>
</div><div>This link requires a subscription for those that have one.</div><div>http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/01/bizz-killer/</div><div>
</div><div>Edited to add a free link to the third article.</div><div>http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6762705/Mississippi%20Business%20Journal%20%C2%BB%20Blog%20Archive%20%C2%BB%20Bizz%20killer.pdf</div><div>
</div><div>I love this quote</div><div>
</div><div><div>

I haven’t given up on these, but if it has anything to dowith alcohol, (Lt. Gov.) Phil (Bryant) doesn’t want to see it.

</div></div>

 

[Maroon Eagle]

And idea what the prospective lieutenant governor candidates' opinions of this issue are?

 

[Porkchop.sixpack]

Really? Really? I mean, I guess if you like that type of person, you could come up with some compliments. But, good guy?

 

[shsdawg]

get anything that is generally available. Perhaps if you consider "generally available" to mean something that is available in large quantities in every state that might be true. Try getting Virginia wine here.

 

[DawgX2]

it usually just needs to be ordered. All you need is a demanding customer, a motivated licensee, and an ambitious broker/supplier. Ask a retailer to get it for you. It would be great to gather all of the info that you can. "It has a red label" does not really help. Some retailers might tell customers that they cannot get something simply because they have been burned by people who asked for an item and, after going through process of getting it, were never able to sell it because that customer never returned. If you want something, ask your favorite store to get it and, if necessary, offer a partial payment up front. If you think you want the whole case, tell them so. Look at a winery's website; it may tell you who represents them in MS. All but about 3 of the brokers in the state are located in the Jackson Metro area.

 

[anon1751035439]

**

 

[jsireland]

and has a basement full of de struise, de dolle, the usual belgians, and 73 westvleteren 12's, this cannot come soon enough. in this day and age, it's as embarrassing as it is illogical.

and yes, i am bragging.

 

[fishwater99]

Until Raise Your Pints gets off it's *** and pocket book and hires a real Lobbying firm, Mississippi will never even get a bill to the floor. People have to be paid and pockets filled with cash, that is how things happen in the MS legislature.

http://msbusiness.com/mag...mpanion-dead-on-arrival/

Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Percy Watson, D-Hattiesburg, said he
had not had a chance to read the bill as of Monday morning, but said
that it most likely would not make it out of his committee, should he
even choose to introduce it.“This just isn’t a good year for legislation that deals with alcohol,” Watson said.</p>

Not surprisingly, it will be at least next year beforelegislation
like thisgets a serious look, a fact Raise Your Pints and other
grassroots organizations pushing it are resigned to.“But we’re going to fight until this happens,” said Raise Your Pints President Butch Bailey of Hattiesburg.</p>

 

[shsdawg]

won't deal with Mississippi. They say it is too much trouble.

 

[Ivehadbetter]

I don't recall ever hearing Reeves comment on it. This type of thing won't make or break the election so you probably won't see too much conversation about it. I will ask Hewes next time I see him, but I don't know Reeves that well. I know you keep up w/ politics pretty well so let me know if you hear anything.

 

[MaverickAG]

it seems, according to this article, that governor candidate Dave Dennis is for it. Now whether or not he has a legitimate shot at office, I don't know.<div>
</div><div>http://msbusiness.com/editorsnotebook/2011/01/18/more-than-99-percent-vote-for-raising-alcohol-by-weight/</div>

 

[Maroon Eagle]

...the position serves as head of the Senate and makes committee chair appointments.

 

[MaverickAG]

That is what I figured. Last year I talked with several folks who contacted Lt. Gov Bryant about replacing Kirby given his continued hard-line stance on the issue. Not much was ever heard back so that and the quotes from some of the previously posted articles make it really clear where Bryant stands. Lets hope the next person has a bit more of an open mind.

 

[wickdawg]

I emailed my senator and house representative. I got a response from my Senator. You better hold on to your seat because it's a doozy.

"You are welcome and thank you for your input."

Yup, that's it. To say the least, I'm pissed. Hope he wasn't expecting my vote. I wouldn't be so pissed if he actually told me that he does not support this. Why dodge the issue? Spineless.

 

[MaverickAG]

Yea, that is about par for the course it seems. I emailed Lt. Gov Bryant asking why he was avoiding the issue as well. Now I know good and well it is because this is one of the issues that can be used as political ammunition against him, but I was at least expecting a short, half-hearted response to his quote about there being no logical reason to raise the cap. Instead, the response I received informed me that in the State of Mississippi, elections are held every four years and voters are allowed to change their public officials at that time. Good info to know.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I suspect they both knew that the bills would die and decided not to say anything.

 

[rickPleasac]

You guys should check out Beer Wars. The big three (Miller, Bud, Coors) are certainly opposed to little guys breaking into the market so they wield the power of the state on their behalf.

Classic case of regulatory capture.

 

[Villagedawg]

more to do with Bud's religion ($$$$) than with Mr. Kirby's.