Vinotrip » sb338

Maryland Wine Shipping Bill Dies: HB-1262, SB-338 Killed

Gary — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:48:14 +0000

Feeling really disappointed about this right now, but I don’t know why. Early on, I felt that this thing had no chance. There was a bigger groundswell this year though led by the blogs, the twits, and the MWBBL. Through letter writing and showing up to hearings, people did a great job of letting the legislators know what they wanted. Sometime along the way I got my optimism back, just in time to get it crushed by the bitter hand of the man.

HB-1262 was killed in committee last night. No wine shipping to Maryland for at least another year, probably more.

If you’re passionate about this issue, please follow up with the members of the Maryland House of Delegates Economic Matters Committee Write them a letter, call their office, or send an email and ask why they voted the way they did. You’ll probably receive a canned response similar to this one we all received last year. Let me know if you get anything more substantive. Vote accordingly when November rolls around.

I’d write more about this, but the issue has run its course and even I am sick of hearing my rambling about it. I’ve posted plenty about Maryland wine shipping and the backwards-thinking of the current wine shipping laws. Read the archives if you want more, pop a bottle of Syrah if you want to forget.

Re: Direct Shipment of Alcoholic Beverages – SB 338 and HB 1262

Gary — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:37:53 +0000

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.

Bring People to Hearing on Maryland HB-1262, Get Free Wine!

Gary — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:41:34 +0000

Just a quick pop because I wanted to get this up before Monday. Adam Borden, grand poobah for Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws is offering up a bottle of 2003 Opus One to the person who brings the biggest entourage to the hearing in the Maryland House of Delegates on Monday, February 23rd. All the details can be found at Dining Dish.

Via the Examiner.