We were really hoping to bring our bill up today, but things just didn’t work out. At least some of the blame rests on the flooding in Montgomery today, which shut down the State House and threw everything into disarray. The legislature had to abandon the State House and its modern computer system for the historic capital building where they hadn’t held session in nearly 25 years. It didn’t bode well for us.
If we had passed today, we wouldn’t have even needed to worry about a veto because the legislature can override any vetoes of bills passed today when they meet next week. We still have two meeting days in which to pass our bill, but there will be no opportunity to override a veto if that happens.
So what all this means is that while we still have a good chance at passing our bill, if and when it passes we need to be prepared to launch a massive campaign to urge the Governor to sign it. There’s no point in starting right now because our bill hasn’t been sent to him. But if we can pull it off in the Senate next week, then we’ll need every human being in the state who cares about personal freedom and consumer choice to launch a tidal wave of phone calls, emails, and faxes to the Governor to encourage his signature. It will make a difference. Be thinking of everyone you could possibly recruit into such an effort, even if they don’t drink beer.
30 Comments
From what I undestand, our bill could have been brought up at any time. Why risk waiting until the last minute? Now, even if it passes next week, we have another hurdle. Maybe I just don’t understand the nitty gritty.
The risk is a Hank Erwin filibuster. Our entire focus is avoiding that. Bringing it up at any point today would have resulted in filibuster and death.
Bringing it up when expecting a filibuster accomplishes nothing except reinvigorating our opposition.
We can bring it up at any time b/c the bill is currently “Carried over to the call of the chair,” which requires unanimous consent of the Senate. Any senator can say “No” and it doesn’t happen. Somehow we got that.
As I understand it, if we call it up again and it goes south, we would have to again get it “carried over to the call of the chair” to keep that option, which would again require unanimous consent. Don’t know if we can get that again – still not sure how we got it the first time.
Mr Erwin is going to be the death of us this year, sorry to be a ‘negative ninny’ but I am a realist. It’s more of the same… just like our president…..
I’m not looking for this bill to pass until I’m old
What’s the difference in bringing it up today & have Erwin filibuster it to death or bringing it up next week & having Erwin filibuster it to death? My hopes for passage are waning
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The difference is that if Erwin kills the bill today, we’re done. If he kills the bill next week, we’re still done but we kept trying. I mean, the guy’s gotta go to the bathroom sometime doesn’t he?
As long as we have the bill at the CoC, we have a shot at a vote.
Don’t get me wrong, my hope is waning and my frustration and anger are building.
I’m sorry, but any grown man can hold his bladder for 4 hrs at a time. He’s probably no exception. I say bring it up, let him filibuster it, then the rest of the state will see what we’ve seen all along…time that could be spent VOTING on bills is wasted on the filibuster.
In Alabama, you not required to hold your bladder. You can relieve yourself on the Senate floor. Don’t laugh, it has happened before.
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1999/03/18795
If it does get voted on and has to go to the Gov., another form of communication is Twitter. Yes, our Governor has a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/governorriley
After listening to Mr. Erwin on the wine bill, I think that he will speak negatively on the bill, but the threat of an all out fillibuster is highly unlikely. The senate has much bigger fish to fry. I know hind sight is 20-20, but wednesday would have been a good day to bring it up.
Who is the lobbyist for free the hops? By the way guys, you are going to have to face Erwin at some point. Waiting on him to be scarce is not going to work. Too many important things on the agenda to be out of the chamber.
My God… what a bunch of whiners! Danner and Stuart have been at this alot longer than the rest of us. The lobbyist has brought us this far (farther than we have ever been before) and there are already complaints. Let us just continue to be positive right now and pray and hope our bill passes and be ready to act when it goes to the governor. If it does not pass the Senate then we can start to be negative.
I second Matt’s response. I feel the frustration like everyone else, but the problem lies NOT with our team who has worked tirelessly and matriculated brilliantly so far. Anyone heard of “divide we fall?” Now, do like me to relieve the frustration, spend your money in GA./FL. on a fine, full bodied “Happy Ending” by Sweetwater, then cool it slightly and enjoy!
With all do respect, I don’t think wanting to bring up the bill is negative. I’m sorry you feel that way.
I think we are having a discussion & asking legit questions not whining dude… but yeah let’s pray because I am sure attainment of craft beer is high on God’s todo list LMAO!!
First of all, thanks to everyone at FTH for all of their hard work. Hopefully, we can get this thing passed next week and then flood the Governor’s office to get it signed. If not, we live to fight another day…in any case, I will be in Atlanta next week so I can stock up on some Hop Pocket and Sweetwater IPA.
Guys, the session ain’t over yet. Instead of going down in flames, let’s stay positive and see if we can still get a vote for this thing.
So, who is the lobbyist for free the hops? Just wondering for personal knowledge.
Jack Abramoff? No, wait…
Michael Sullivan.
Off topic, but thanks for pouring that chocolate stout last night at Jones Valley Urban Farm!!!
On a good note, RCBF was a “dang good” experience. People know more now and they are starting to get in the loop. Keep fighting whatever the odds are.
So, I think somebody should spike Mr. Erwin’s morning coffee with Exlax. Get him out for good, and bring up this bill and pass it! I am just kidding, but I hope that somehow this legislative session will be a turning point for Alabama regarding the sales of alcohol. I am tired of driving to Louisiana for good beer. The wine bill passed, so let’s not leave craft beer standing outside, watching high alcohol content wine and liquor party it up, wishing he could join.
FREE THE HOPS!
From all of us at the Rogue Brewery, we admire and appreciate your dedication as leaders of the Craft Revolution in Alabama.
We shall succeed!
So are we looking at tomorrow or Wednesday?
They don’t meet until Thursday this week. Had to space out the Governor’s pocket veto power.
Thursday? I cannot wait that long.
Oh well, here’s hoping all goes well.
Can barleywine be considered wine? Also, Erwin has made too many enemies in Shelby county and Cam Ward has already stated his intentions to run for Erwin’s seat in 2010. Erwin wants to run for Lt. Governor then, so his days of acting like a Pharisee/Puritan/Taliban are numbered. Ward will let it go by abstaining, as he has told me before at a restaurant in Alabaster. Until then, I’m glad to patronize the good folks of GA, TN, FL and LA. Welcome New Belgium into GA too.
I commend the “high road” taken by Danner, Stuart, et al in this real-life lesson in civics no matter how frustrating this may be. One day we’ll toast in victory, but until then let’s keep up the good fight.
Who knows the closest store to Bhm to get the beer we all are after? If we do not get the results we want this week, I’m making a road trip East.
Is there a “clue” on/when the bill might be “brought up” on the 14th and 15th.
??? That was a question.