Delaware: State Deliberates Alcohol, Tobacco Tax Increases
To meet a $400 million budget gap, Delaware Democrats are turning to raising taxes on alcohol and tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, the Washington Free Beacon reports. The tax hike would generate an estimated $18.8 million, and would take effect in September.
Nevada: Alcohol Distributors Make Case to Move Marijuana
A Carson City district judge is expected to make a ruling Tuesday in a dispute over recreational marijuana distribution in Nevada. Judge James Wilson's ruling is expected to clarify whether liquor distributors have the exclusive right to distribute recreational marijuana from production facilities to retailers, or whether the state Department of Taxation can license others to perform the function. An all-day court hearing on the dispute ended late Monday.
New Jersey: Andrzejczak Bill Package to Boost New Jersey Wine Industry Advances
An Assembly panel approved a four-bill package sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak to spur the continued growth of New Jersey's winery industry. "The wine industry has begun to yield tremendous benefits for our state, particularly South Jersey," said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). "But in order to help us become truly competitive with more established states, we need to work with our wineries to make our laws more effective for them."
New York: NYC Announces New Nightlife Office and Ambassador
New York just took some major steps towards establishing a prospering nightlife scene in its beloved city. As part of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, NYC is instituting a new Nightlife Office, complete with its own Nighttime Ambassador. As part of Mayor de Blasio's "New York Works" ten-year economic initiative, the new installment aims to recognize the huge economic influence NYC nightlife has on the city.
New York: State Liquor Laws Preempt Local Municipalities from Restricting Operating Hours
The State liquor law preempts local municipalities from restricting hours of operation for businesses selling alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. Accordingly, local municipalities should use caution when imposing conditions upon establishments regulated by the State Liquor Authority and would be wise to consider alternative ways to manage late hours accompanied by public imbibing.
North Carolina: 'Brunch Bill' Passes N.C. House Alcohol Committee
Legislation to allow alcohol sales on Sunday mornings in North Carolina and to loosen sales restrictions on craft distilleries cleared the state House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee on Thursday. Senate Bill 155, officially called "ABC Omnibus Legislation" but often called the "Brunch Bill" for the Sunday morning alcohol sales portion, next moves to the state House Finance Committee on Monday.
Oklahoma: Attorneys File Challenge to State's New DUI Law
Attorneys with four of Oklahoma's largest DUI law firms joined forces Wednesday to file a Supreme Court lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Oklahoma's new drunken driving law. "This is a bad deal," said DUI attorney Charles Sifers. "We did everything we could to try to get this not to go through."
Tennessee: State Officially Has Its Own Whiskey Trail
Hundreds of thousands of people visit Jack Daniel's Lynchburg distillery each year, but for many of them, the tour is a sideline attraction during their trip to Tennessee. Jack Daniel's Master Distiller Jeff Arnett hopes the first-of-its-kind Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which officially goes live Monday after more than a year of development, will be a game changer for state tourism and will draw travelers to Tennessee for the sole purpose of experiencing more than two dozen unique distilleries on the trail.
Texas: New State Law Provides More Options for First-Time DUI Offenders, Prevents Drunk Driving
A new state law aimed at making roads safer when it comes to drinking and driving will take effect this September. Governor Abbott signed House bill 3016, also called the "second chance bill" into law last week. The bill was championed by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Longview), Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and the members of Mother's Against Drunk Driving.
Utah: If 3.2 Beer Disappears from Grocery Stores, Utah Liquor Stores Couldn't Carry Lost Brands
Grocery and convenience stores in Utah sell the majority of the beer in the state - more than 94 percent, about 32.4 million gallons, annually - statistics show. But what happens in two years, if the availability of 3.2 percent beer decreases and only higher-alcohol beers are available from big brands like Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors? Could the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control handle the purchasing, storage and distribution of the product?
Utah: Hospitality Groups Critical of Utah Strict New DUI Threshold
Utah lawmakers who passed the strictest DUI threshold in the country got an earful Wednesday from restaurant and tourism groups who oppose the 0.05 percent blood alcohol limit and say it will hurt the state's hospitality industry. Restaurant and tourism officials told a panel of state lawmakers that they made a mistake passing the law and that when they drop the DUI threshold from 0.08 percent next year, it will target responsible people having a drink or two at dinner.
Utah: Restaurants Say 0.05 BAC May Hurt Business
Unintended consequences became the topic of the latest committee hearing centered around Utah's new .05 blood alcohol content law. On Wednesday, the Transportation Interim Committee heard from representatives from the Utah Restaurant Association, Visit Salt Lake, Utah Tourism Industry Association, Utah Hospitality Association, American Beverage Institute and the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.
Utah: Founder of MADD Says State's New Drunk Driving Law Is an Unhelpful Distraction (Op-Ed)
As the opioid crisis metastasizes and marijuana continues to be legalized across the country, drug use is on the rise. And as these substances become more common in everyday life, they also become more common on the road. While drunk driving remains a serious concern, other threats are mounting on our roadways.
Utah: State Should Not Buy the Fear-Mongering of the Alcohol Lobby (Op-Ed)
The Utah Legislature has enacted an important and lifesaving law to make Utah's roads safer for families by lowering the impaired driving limit to .05 percent BAC. Yet, this newspaper recently published an opinion piece from Candace Lightner opposing Utah's responsible law. Lightner founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 1980 and separated from the organization in 1985.
Wisconsin: Craft Beverage Industry Forms Alliance to Battle Distributors' Efforts
Craft brewers, wineries and distillers are beefing up their legislative efforts following an effort by distributors to cut them out of the lucrative alcoholic beverage retail market. An alliance called the Wisconsin Craft Beverage Coalition announced its effort on Thursday. "The coalition will work to promote legislation that will allow Wisconsin's craft beverage industry to grow and thrive and will raise awareness of all legislative and special interest proposals that would harm our small businesses," the group said in a press release.
| 
