Beer Law Hijinks In Indiana

It’s no secret that politicians are swayed by the businesses or lobbyists that paid good money to get them elected. Powerful organizations like the one that represents Indiana’s liquor store industry are intent on controlling who, where and when beer can be sold in Indiana and they support those who do their bidding.

Here’s the deal…

According to the Old National Bank/Ball State University 2017 Hoosier Survey which was conducted last October, Indiana’s citizens want to change post-prohibition laws that control where and when beer can be sold in the state.

The IndyStar reported that a solid majority of Hoosiers supported expanding cold beer to convenience stores as well as Sunday alcohol sales, according to that poll.

As things stand now the sale of cold beer is limited mostly to package liquor stores and Sunday alcohol sales for carryout are currently prohibited outside of breweries, wineries and distilleries.

So it’s a question of whether the state’s politicians are more beholden to the people who voted them into office or to the powerful interests behind the scenes who donate big money to their campaigns.

And with citizens demanding that these restrictive laws be changed, the state’s politicians are feeling the pressure…And they’re squirming to look like they’re acting on the public’s wishes while keeping the big-money liquor store lobby at bay.

Historically the liquor store industry (who currently have a virtual monopoly on the sale of cold beer in Indiana) has maintained that controlling that niche allows them to stay in business and that “cold beer expansion would devalue their package store permits, which can sell at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Liquor stores have also long argued against Sunday sales, saying that it would force them to stay open, increasing their overhead costs with little promise of additional revenue compared to big box stores like Costco or grocery stores who sell all kinds of foods and products, and would be open anyway.

So what’s going to happen in 2018’s new legislative session is beginning to look like a bit of a compromise, (at least on the part of the liquor store lobby) who have come around in their opposition to Sunday Sales Bill, as long as those same politicians block the cold beer measure.

And the liquor store industry’s  begrudging concession might finally allow the State’s politicians to throw the public (who would like to see both of these laws passed) at least half a legislative bone…

So glass half full or empty? You decide….As the legacy of Prohibition, one of our nation’s worst ideas, continues to plague Indiana’s citizens decades after its repeal.