Stakeholders or Stockholders? The Indiana Alcohol Debate

Project RAD sat down with Sen. Jim Buck from Kokomo to talk about the expansion of Sunday sales and the deregulation of alcohol. He made some critical points - ones that should become central to the conversation.
 

Despite the media soundbiting of a complex issue, here's what a long-term and well respected state senator has to share.
 
The video is also posted on our website's home page.

Spotlight on Mandatory Carding Law: Repeal or Revise?

WTHR's report on the legislative hearing to roll back mandatory carding was an interesting take from those who are most impacted by positive effects of this law: liquor stores. The state association and its members testified that the law, in effect about six months, has all but evaporated any traffic from underage teens. That's a good thing, according to package store owner Ray Cox, his employees, and (notably) his customers.

Statehouse reporter Kevin Rader took time to actually leave the heart of state government and go ask customers.

One woman reiterated: I don't want my kids in here.

Another male customer suggested: I don't want teenagers buying alcohol.

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, a statewide partner with Project RAD, has supported a mandatory carding law for years.

The committee delayed its vote on HB 1325 until a later date.

You can follow this bill's progress online here.

Indiana Facts Campaign: Important Things to Know

Project RAD is sending letters to specific Indiana stakeholders on the real facts behind the alcohol debate. We call it - connecting the dots. We'll post a FACT or two per issue through the end of the Indiana General Assembly. Most of what we've found is in the public record (if you look).

FACT NO. 1
 

Matt Norris, who calls himself the director of Hoosiers for Beverage Choices and now a spokesperson for Change It Indiana, is a lobbyist for The Corydon Group. His company represents Walmart. Walmart is one of the major funders of alcohol deregulation bills and initiatives across the country. None of the money being spent by these two "consumer" organizations is being disclosed or reported.

Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission Report: Almost Done

Project RAD's analysis of the Walgreens march on Indiana for new alcohol permits will be published soon. The review of 2,616 pages started with a public records request filed this spring. Watch for updates here or ask for your advance copy by sending us an email to the address at the bottom of your newsletter. Stakeholders will receive the report first. Thanks for those who have been assisting with compilation and review, including personnel at the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Public records are always a good source of information on government actions and a measure of accountability.

Indiana Quote of the Week

As reported in the Indiana Daily Student

What really has drug and alcohol awareness advocates worried is the pattern of early use that exists in the Bloomington area.

"A kid that starts drinking in eighth grade just doesn't stop," said Linda Hanek, state incentive grant program director at the Asset Building Coalition.

ABC is a Monroe County organization dedicated to promoting awareness of and preventing underage drinking and drug use.

Among eighth graders in the county, 20 percent reported using alcohol and 10 percent reported using marijuana at least once per month, according to the MCCSC survey.

(Note: The Asset Building Coalition is a statewide partner with Project RAD.)

Issue Briefs on State Alcohol Regulations

A new publication is available from the Campaign for a Healthy Alcohol Marketplace. It is a package of short, simple briefs that address common issues about alcohol regulation that arise during state legislative sessions, interviews or community meetings. This is designed for policy makers, media and others that need a short, straightforward explanation of regulatory issues. Each brief is designed to stand alone. From time to time, the briefs may be revised and new ones added. Please check the website for the most current version. Inquiries can be directed to the author, Pamela S. Erickson, pam@pamaction.com.

The titles are:

• Why can't alcohol be sold in a completely free market scenario?
• What happened in countries that experimented with selling alcohol in a deregulated market?
• Alcohol is a legal product, so why can't it be sold like orange juice or any other legal product?
• What does a good alcohol regulatory system look like?
• What are the benefits of a three-tiered system of alcohol controls?
• Why are beer, wine and spirits regulated differently?
• Why shouldn't alcohol be more convenient for customers to buy? Shouldn't those who drink exercise personal responsibility?
• What is the problem with allowing more stores to sell alcohol?
• Why shouldn't we be able to buy alcohol on Sundays, holidays, or any hour of the day or night?
• Why are some states in the liquor business? Couldn't we just replace state package stores with a license-and-tax system that would earn the same amount of revenue for our state and local governments?
• Isn't alcohol regulation bad for business? Shouldn't we loosen alcohol regulations to help local business?

Alcohol Headlines in Indiana

Package store group says beer permits quotas violated

State senator keeps hope alive for Sunday sales

General Assembly tries to revise Indiana carding laws

Alcohol Headlines From Around the Nation

Alabama

Debate heats up over Sunday alcohol sales

California

Alcohol industry watchdog Marin Institute joined with Canadian and American researchers today to call attention to disturbing findings in a new study that should put the debate over privatizing alcohol sales in U.S. control states to rest once and for all.

To read the Addiction study, go to http://bit.ly/ftVQLZ.

To read Marin Institute's report, visit http://bit.ly/cjpujY.

Connecticut

Debate continues over Sunday sales

Kentucky

Louisville grocery store Maxwell Pic Pac and the Food with Wine Coalition filed a federal lawsuit challenging Kentucky's law that prohibits businesses that sell a substantial amount of staple groceries and/or gasoline or lubricating oil from receiving a wine and spirits license. (To download a PDF of the lawsuit, click here.)

Michigan

Sunday morning alcohol not bringing business a boost

Texas

TX Sunday liquor sales considered to help budget shortfall

Wyoming

Alcohol and crime go hand in hand