I’m hearing/seeing lots of buzz about the amendment. The biggest concern is that it might affect a large number of grocery stores in addition to convenience stores. I’m neither a legal expert on the ABC licensing code nor do I know which grocery stores have which type of license. So I can’t yet authoritatively answer all the questions.
I just wanted to give everyone some peace of mind by mentioning that our lobbyist is meeting with ABC lawyers today to work through all this. If the ABC determines that Sen. Brooks’ amendment has some effect other than what he intended (which was solely to apply to convenience stores), then changes will be made.
There’s really not much more info available right now, but I wanted to let people know we’re not asleep at the wheel on this one. We’re going to do everything we can to get HB373 passed in a form that allows as many businesses as possible to sell high end beer. Please be patient as we work through this.
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This is a somewhat disappointing amendment, although it’s good we’ve gotten this far. One of the best places to get a wide variety of beer here (Auburn, AL) is a BP gas station/convenience store. They are pretty well known for having the best selection and even give you the option of creating your own 6 pack. It would likely hurt their business if they are unable to sell more of the higher quality/high gravity beer that grocery stores would be able to sell.
And by “a BP” I mean one specifically here in Auburn, not all BP stations. Most of their profits come from beer/food sales since their gas prices are amongst the highest in town.
The same is true in Birmingham. Tom & Jerry’s Chevron on Highland has gone out of the way to have one of the best beer selections in the area, offering beers that can be a challenge to get elsewhere in the city. It would be a shame if their business was hurt by this amendment.
FYI, the Vineyard Food Market on Crestwood Blvd (next to Crestwood Park) has an awesome beer selection for a convenience store…and I hope it stays that way. OK, back to the point at hand.
I wonder if there is a law against convenience stores having on-premises alcohol licenses.
This is going to be complicated because there is no designation by the Alabama ABC board of a “c-store” license. ABC has off premise licenses for beer, wine and liquor but not for class of trade. Within these types of licenses an account can apply for a tasting license.
I hope this doesn’t screw up the passage of this bill. Maybe that is what they are attempting to do.
I’m not a lawyer (obviously).
Surely the ABC licenses issue is a regulatory/administrative process and not for the legislature to decide. I’ve been wrong before (early and often), but I don’t think this would stop passage.
At this point are all e-mails to Senator Erwin being discouraged, or just not nice ones. Anyone think it would help for individuals to e-mail him with encouraging words and reasons why we want the bill?
Not to discourage anyone from civic action, but I honestly don’t think it will matter.
Are they adjourned? what happened today?
Not in session today – they come back in on Thursday at 10 am.
I know Sen. Erwin personally, (not that we agree on anything) but I went ahead and scribed and sent a short note this morning to him reminding him positively,that he is one who represents others, and should not just represent his own self. As Dan said though, “I honestly don’t think it will matter.”
If they begin at 10am on Thursday, how long will they stay in session and will they return on Friday?
Regarding Sen. Erwin: I do not agree with him at all, but I don’t begrudge him his beliefs. I simply wish he wouldn’t hold up this vote. Let him cast his one vote along with all his peers. The record will reflect his opposition to the bill.
Well said Josh. He is entitled to his beliefs and is the elected representative for this district (although I do not include myself as one of his supporters). If he does not agree with the bill then vote nay, but allow the majority of senators and voters of this state to decide what the law should be on this issue… not one man…
I have heard from a friend (who knows the inner-workings of the AL senate intimately), that Sen. Erwin filibusters every bill that comes up for discussion that has anything to do with easing restrictions on alcohol and gambling. He is a known quantity, so to speak. My friend also said that Erwin always backs off once he has made his point, and that it would be wise to let him have his say and not to piss him off.
Ha, that would be funny if he weren’t in a position of power. “Just let Dad rant, honey. He’ll be done soon.”