Kentucky’s grocers have launched a statewide petition drive to build support for a proposed change in state law that would allow grocery stores to sell wine.
Article originally posted by The Kentucky Enquirer directed to: http://www.enquirer.com/editions/pdf/KY_CE_271208.pdf
Ky. grocers start drive to sell wine
Cincinnati Enquirer – Cincinnati, Ohio
| Author: | Patrick Crowley |
| Date: | Dec 27, 2008 |
By Patrick Crowley
pcrowley@nky.com
Kentucky’s grocers have launched a statewide petition drive to build support for a proposed change in state law that would allow grocery stores to sell wine.
Nine grocery stores – owned by Remke Markets and Riverside SuperValu – are participating in the drive in Northern Kentucky, according to a statement from the Food With Wine Coalition.
“Consumers have been asking grocery store managers across Kentucky for the opportunity to purchase a bottle of wine to go with their meal,” Luke Schmidt, a Louisville consultant working with the coalition, said in a statement. “The coalition’s effort is a direct response to what our customers have been asking for.”
An online version of the petition is also available. The petitions will be used to try to win support for changing the law during the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly legislative session, which will begin Jan. 5.
Statewide, the petitions are in 111 stores in 39 cities and 28 counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages is allowed. Only people 21 and older are permitted to sign the petitions.
“We encourage Kentuckians across the commonwealth to take this first step in demonstrating their support for changing the law by signing the petition the next time that you shop in your favorite grocery store,” Schmidt said.
Kentucky is one of 16 states that prohibit wine sales in grocery stores. Legislation to change the law was filed during the 2008 session, but it died in committee without a vote. Liquor store operators and legislators, opposed to expanding the sale of alcohol, are against the bill.
Advocates cite three main reasons for allowing the change in law:
Expanding consumer choice.
Providing up to 400 new outlets for the sale of Kentucky-made wines.
Generating up to $50 million in new state sales tax revenue in the first five years after the law is changed.
Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger, has been one of the leading proponents of the legislation.
He said that with the state facing a projected budget shortfall of almost $500 million, increasing wine sales would help bring new tax dollars into state coffers.
Sign here, please
Petitions supporting a change in state law allowing wine to be sold at grocery stores can be signed at these locations:
All Northern Kentucky Remke Markets.
Riverside SuperValu in Covington and Dayton.
Online at www.foodwithwine.org.