Topic Archives: Georgia

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Sunday Sales Opponent: Jerry Luguire

Dissecting the opposition to the Sunday sales bill in Georgia requires talking about this individual – Jerry Luguire.  Luguire is the president of Georgia’s Christian Coalition, backed by the Georgia Baptist Convention.  He leads the charge against the passage of Sunday sales in Georgia.

Jerry Luguire is 72 year old resident of Columbus, Georgia.  He gave up drinking 31 years ago.  Some of his quotes on the matter:

“There ought to be at least 1 day a week that Georgians are not allowed to buy alcohol”

Judging by his replies to those who oppose him, reeks of arrogance.  Taking a quote from Neil Boortz’s blog, an individual posted a comment:

“Your branch has been very vocal in using the legislative power of government to keep an antiquated rule in place which forbids the sale of alcohol in stores. As a Christian, I find this very offensive, and I don’t believe that we should force our principles or beliefs upon anyone. I can only imagine what all of my non-Christian friends think as they watch your branch try to force this law upon the citizens of Georgia. I’d like someone to respond to me to let me know exactly why this is such an important issue to your organization, and why you feel the need to support such an action.”

His reply:

“Maybe you should find some Christian friends.”

As a Christian person myself, I find that offensive.  Regardless, his pressure on Georgia lawmakers seems to be paying off.

His contact info – [email protected].  Writing to him won’t change his mind, but will most likely get a snide, arrogant response.

Links on Luguire —> Neil Boortz,  Ledger – Inquirer
Pic credit: Ledge – Inquirer

Posted in Beer News

Meet Sunday Sales Supporter Chip Rogers

This is the blogging form of a retraction.   Chip Rogers actually supports Sunday sales – and even co authored the bill.  The response I received on Sunday Sales supporters mentioned Senator Rogers as an opponent.  I spoke with his office this morning and found out otherwise.  My apologies for that.  Senator Rogers WAS a part of the closed door meeting that killed S.B. 10 from moving forward.  I wish I was a fly on the wall in that meeting.

Below is his contact information.  Perhaps a little extra encouragement could bring this bill to a vote this session.

His contact information:

Capitol Office:
314 B Coverdell Office Building    Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 463-1378
Fax: (404) 463-1385

Email: [email protected]

Website: Chip Rogers

 

Posted in Beer News

Sunday Sales Rally Planned Today

Today at 12 noon, supporters of S.B. 10 aka Sunday sales bill will rally at the capitol building in downtown Atlanta.  Last week, the bill was not brought to a vote due to “lack of support”.  Special interest groups have pressured Georgia lawmakers not to bring the bill to vote.

Today supporters rally to show lawmakers there is support for this bill.   Georgia is the last of 3 states that banned on premise sales of beer & wine.

Read the press release about the rally here —> Rally Press Release

See you at the capitol at noon!


Posted in Beer News

ATLANTA: Sunday Sales Rally Planned

Last week the wind was taken out of the Sunday Sales (like what I did there??) when S.B. 10 was basically declared dead.  Due to outside pressure, the bill will not go to the floor for a vote.

On Wednesday, a rally is planned at the Georgia Capitol building to attempt to push the bill to a floor vote.  I had mixed emotions about this, but @AtlantaBeer made a good point to me.  To use a football reference – it’s a 4th down situation.  The bill is there, and being discussed now.  Even though there might be other potential legislation more important than buying beer on Sunday, the bill is in the lawmakers hands at this moment.  Good point.  Act now before the bill gets forgotten.  Georgia’s new governor Nathan Deal said he would sign the bill if brought to his desk.  The issue is just getting to Govenor Deal’s desk.   Read the press release here:

Atlanta, GA — Georgians for Sunday Sales, a grassroots, bipartisan organization, will hold a press conference and rally on Wednesday, February 23 at 12 pm on the Capitol Steps (Washington Street side) to urge passage of a bill to allow local communities to decide whether local retailers should sell alcohol on Sunday.

Georgia is one of only three states in the country that does not provide some option for the off-premise sale of beer, wine, or liquor on Sunday.  Because Georgia is the only state in the Southeast with a total ban on Sunday sales, we are at a distinct economic disadvantage.  For many Georgians, the current law defies common sense.  “The state allows us to drive to a restaurant on Sunday to buy alcohol, but the state won’t let us go to the corner store to buy beer to drink in the safety of our own home,” says Zak Koffler, one of the organizers of the rally.

Moreover, shopping patterns have changed in Georgia.  Sunday is now the highest volume shopping day in many areas throughout Georgia.  Yet customers who enter a retail store on Sunday are prohibited from purchasing alcohol.  “As a busy mom, Sundays are the best days for me to do my family’s grocery shopping since our Saturdays are filled with soccer games, birthday parties, and other family activities.  Yet, I have to make a separate trip to buy a bottle of wine,” says Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, a state representative from Decatur and mother of two.

Two bills to allow local communities to vote on Sunday sales are currently pending in the Georgia Legislature, Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 69.  Both measures are being held in committee.

Posted in Beer News

Georgia Sunday Sales Dead

I know everyone had the hopes up, but S.B. 10 – aka Sunday Sales bill has died in Georgia today.

In the end, the special interest groups put enough pressure on lawmakers for them to decide that there isn’t enough support to move forward with the bill.

Draw your own conclusions.

Georgia is one of 3 states that don’t allow sales of beer & wine on premise on Sunday.

Link —> Athens Banner Herald
Link —> http://www.wrcbtv.com/

Posted in Beer News

Georgia Mulls Sunday Sales Today

The Georgia Senate will begin discussing a bill (Senate Bill 10) today that would allow for Sunday sales.  Like the recent growler discussion, the ability for an off premise site to sell on Sunday would be decided by the local governments.

Grocery stores (Kroger/Target/Publix/Walmart) & package stores would be allowed to sell beer & wine on Sundays with the passage of the bill.  There are many proponents of the bill that feel the current law preventing sales on Sunday is religiously motivated and should be changed.  Starting at 1pm today, the discussion begins.  NOTE: This is the very beginning of the discussion. Not a vote to legalize…

Updates to follow… Follow @jasbragg on Twitter, who is at the senate in person…

UPDATE 1:50pm: Passes Senate committee. Next up, a floor vote.
3:30pm: AJC Reports on Senate Committee http://bit.ly/dZGXBC

Links: Tifton Gazette , Washington Examiner, Fox Atlanta

Posted in Beer News

Georgia Growler Loophole?

Looks like the State of Georgia may have revised its opinion on growlers.  It has been recently discovered that there is a certain situation that would allow growlers to be sold in the state of Georgia.  I have obtained a letter from the Georgia Department of Revenue that states this:

“The Department [Of Revenue] has determined that, persuant to the Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code, “growlers” or similar containers may be appropriately  used so long as it is at a licensed retail off premise location that does not deal in distilled spirits by the package. “

Essentially, off premise retail stores that don’t sell liquor, could in theory sell growlers for off premise/home consumption.  However, local city laws or ordinances may prevent this. The letter further states:

“Other provisions of the Official Code of Georgia or local ordinances may be more restrictive in the use of such containers and business models.”

So, the city of Atlanta may specifically prevent growlers”to be sold.  Why is this all of sudden surfacing?  This weekend in Athens a beer store opens its doors with the distinct purpose of selling growlers. The store – “The Beer Growler” was recently mentioned in Athens newspaper The Flagpole. Check out the article here –> http://flagpole.com/Weekly/GrubNotes/GrubNotes-12Nov10

If I understand the situation correctly, the City of Athens has NOT specifically allowed this.  I asked Kraig Torres, owner of Hop City Craft Beer & Wine about the matter. His quote “Atlanta, and surrounding jurisdictions have not allowed the sale of growlers specifically, despite the revised opinion of the State of Georgia.  I am looking into the matter deeply.  The DAY growlers are green lighted by the City of Atlanta is the day Hop City will sell it’s first growler.”

Bottom line, the State of Georgia has revised its view on growlers for off premise sites WITHOUT liquor.  The local ordinances still prohibit the sale of growlers currently.  It is not guaranteed that “The Beer Growler” in Athens will be allowed to remain open by the city of Athens.  There is still a lot to discuss on this matter as it develops.

More to follow on this…