Breaking beer news: Oklahoma alcohol reform appears shelved
This news just in from the state Capitol: Of the several alcohol reform bills up for consideration this legislative session, it appears only one will make it out of the committee stage. The surviving bill would call for the creation of a task force to study the issue and report back to the Legislature in a year’s time. To sum up, if you were hoping to have strong beer and/or wine on grocery store shelves any time soon, better not hold your breath.
So where does the issue stand right now? Any significant movement would be at least a year away, and even then it would only open the matter up for discussion, not action. Getting full-strength beer in grocery stores would require a constitutional amendment, which would require a vote of the people. Legislators would first have to agree to take up a bill proposing change, and then agree to put the issue on a ballot.
So, status quo it is. What’s your take on the issue? Sound off in the comments section of this blog post. And check The Oklahoman or NewsOK.com on Tuesday morning for full coverage of this issue.
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Comments
I agree with the previous comment. I know a man in the distribution business and his revenue would take a cut in half if strong beers and wines went into Wal-Marts and Homelands around our state. The big stores would most likely be able to order directly, by-passing the local distributors, not to mention the lost business in our favorite liquor stores, who would probably close.
The legislature can require the big stores to buy from local distributors. Local breweries should be able to have their goods sold in grocery stores and convenience stores.
Leave it the way it is. The only reason to even change the bill is because out of state business want to come into Oklahoma. Allowing this would put many local business out and the money would then got OUT of the state. I say instead of this, lets change 2 other laws. Allow children to come into liquor stores with their parents and allow Brew Pubs to sell and package to see their own beer on premise. Lets stick with those and see what happens.