Re: Direct Shipment of Alcoholic Beverages – SB 338 and HB 1262
Commenter Regina gets a gold star for excellence in sending stuff to me that I can blog about. The latest was a letter sent by some Maryland liquor retailers to Mike Miller, President of the Maryland Senate. The letter encapsulates arguments against SB 338 and HB 1262, both of which which would bring direct wine shipping to Maryland residents.
The details of the letter, and my reason for not posting it, is that the arguments made therein (and in every hearing thus far) aren’t the real issue. Sales to minors and lost tax revenue are the battle cry of the opponents, but it isn’t what motivates them. Both arguments have been refuted over and over, here on this blog and plenty of other places. It is a deflecting argument meant to get people arguing over the wrong things. Of course nobody wants minors to gain access to alcohol. What the opposition has done is force people who are for wine shipping to also be for increased access to alcohol by minors. It’s a sneaky trick.
Make no mistake: The issue is control of alcohol sales in Maryland. The distributors have control and don’t want to relinquish it.
If you’re truly passionate about the issue there are two things you can do. First, contact your state representatives and let them know how you feel. Be jaded all you want about government but contacting these people will yield actual results. Emails are good but phone calls and actual US Mail letters are better. Second, check with your local retailer and see how he or she feels about direct wine shipping and if they are for or against the bills; and patronize wine shops accordingly. This particular letter of opposition was sent by a representative of Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits. I’ve never been there, and I won’t go now.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:06 am
Damn it. Bay Ridge is my go-to liquor store when I’m in Annapolis. I guess I’ll have to go to Robinwood.
April 10th, 2009 at 10:16 am
You guys are barking up the wrong tree here. Mike Miller’s family makes gobs of money in the alcohol distribution business. He quietly kills these bills every year in order to keep the money rolling in. Not a chance this bill will ever pass until we have some ethical standards in the Marlyand government. For those who don’t know, we don’t have any.