Kansas Panel Taking Up Wider Liquor Sales Measure
Associated Press - Tue 08:46 AM 02/15/2011
Kansas allows grocery and convenience stores to sell what's known under the law as cereal malt beverage, or beer that is 3.2 percent or less alcohol by weight. Only liquor stores can sell stronger beer, wine or liquor.
A Kansas Senate committee is opening hearings on a bill allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell full-strength beer, wine and liquor.
The Federal and State Affairs Committee planned to take testimony Tuesday from supporters of the bill. Opponents are
scheduled to testify Wednesday.
Kansas allows grocery and convenience stores to sell what's known under the law as cereal malt beverage, or beer that is 3.2 percent or less alcohol by weight. Only liquor stores can sell stronger beer, wine or liquor.
Backers of the measure argue it will increase competition and generate new jobs and tax revenues. Opponents contend it will help mostly big grocery and convenience store chains and put family-owned liquor stores out of business.
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67435ks2
Tuesday 15 February 2011 10:10 Report this comment
This would be so great if this passed!
justbrowsin
Tuesday 15 February 2011 10:49 Report this comment
if this passed, 350 liquor stores owned by kansas residents(you have to be kansas resident to own a liquor store! no corporations allowed.) would be forced to close down due to lost revenue. Meaning over 1000 kansas residents would lose thier jobs. Also proponents say that the same amount of liquor will be sold as sold now... this means LESS revenue going to state because now more competition will lower price and selling the same amount of liquor at a lower price means less money to the government as it is taxed by retail price. Now the Alcohol and beverage control department would have to triple its personel to cover 4 times more stores being able to sell liquor. So a state office having to grow 3 times bigger to collect less revenue in kansas that is already strapped on the state budget is a Great idea...
hillbilly
Tuesday 15 February 2011 11:44 Report this comment
I hope that this means that the legislature will in turn target higher taxes on alcohol.
justme
Tuesday 15 February 2011 12:44 Report this comment
I agree Justbrowsin. I have a 2nd job in a liquor store. This is not a good idea at all. Among the amount of store closings and workers without a job, there is no way that ABC can "police" all of these chains. Who would be responsible if an underage person get caught buying alcohol, the person who sold it or the store it was sold at. There is a lot of red flags to this and I sincerely hope this does not get passed.
shadezz
Tuesday 15 February 2011 16:49 Report this comment
I hope they pass this look at all the other states that sale liquor in grocery stores. It will work out for ma and pa liquor stores other wise time for change.