7.5. SR 01-02-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Wine In Grocery Would Dramatically Change Minnesota Alcohol Law The following Media Advisory was sent to press throughout Minnesota, on October 30, 2006. (Minneapolis) After years of legislative failure, the Minnesota Grocers Association (Grocers) is, once again, conducting a large-scale public relations campaign to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores (WIG). A coalition of private and public organizations, including the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association, opposes the WIG initiative to greatly expand the number of outlets allowed to sell alcohol. If experiences in other states are a predictor, WIG will someday expand into strong beer and / or spirits in grocery, and / or convenience stores, - dramatically changing Minnesota Alcohol Law. The Grocers state, "This (WIG) convenience is enjoyed in 33 other states." What they fail to mention is that three-fourths of states allow strong beer to be sold in grocery stores and about one-third of states allow distilled spirits to be sold in grocery.stores. According to the Minnesota Legislative Auditor, ". ~ ~ the pattern is similar for convenience and drug stores. A slightly higher number of states allow drug stores to sell alcohol beverages, while a slightly lower number allow convenience stores to sell these products." Number of States fincludin'i the District of Columbia) Allowin~ Alcohol Beverages to Be Sold in Various Types of Stores Type of Store Drug Grocery Convenience Strong Beer 42 40 37 Wine 37 33 31 Sprits 22 17 16 While the cur'rent proposal only addresses wine in grocery stores, future expansion into strong beer and spirits in grocery stores, and wine, strong beer, and spirits in conv~nience stores, (with or without Grocer support), is inevitable. The Grocers also state, (WIG) is i'supported 2 to 1 by Minnesota consumers.7~ However, two separate, previously unreleased, polls conducted by DRS Acquisitions, Woodbury 1\1:N", indicate Minnesota consumers dramatically oppose alcohol (wine) being sold in grocery stores. Consumers also think it is currently "easy" to ~ legally purchase alcohol products, and would be "concerned" if Minnesota were to significantly expand the number of retail outlets allowed to sell alcohol. (polling results are attached. For further information on the poll, contact Pat Haggerty, Haggerty / Schatz, at-Office: 651.778.9394 or Mobile: 651.235.0775) According to the Legislative Auditor: "...Policymakers should be cautious in considering dramatic changes in Minnesota's retail (alcohol) laws. Ev~n a minor increase in the co~ts of alcohol abuse would offset the savings consumers would receive from lower prices and improved convenience." 2006 Wine in Grocery Ouestions and Responses. 1. Under the current state law, how difficult is it for you to legally purchase alcohol products? Easy...791 Adequate... 147 Difficult... 62 2. If Minnesota were to significantly expand the number of retail outlets allowed to sell alcohol would you be Concemed?..448 Indifferent?..244 Unconcerned?.~308 3. Is it a gooq idea to increase the exposure of children, to the retail sale of alcohol? Yes...l04 No...896 4. Would you support a law prohibiting anyone under 21, from entering a retail liquor outlet, unless accompanied by parent or guardian? Yes....825 NOu.175 5. Do you think alcohol should be sold in grocery stores? Yes...359 Nou.641 2005 WIG Polling Results 1. Under the current state law, how difficult is it for you to legally purchase alcohol products? Easy... 724 Fairly easy... 121 Adequate... 98 Fairly difficult... 21 Difficult... 36 2. If Minnesota were to significantly expand the number of retail outlets allowed to sell alcohol would you be Very concerned?~.. 250 Somewhat concerned?.. 254 Indifferent?....301 Somewhat at ease?...... 91 Very at ease?.... 104 3.. Is it a good idea to increase the exposure of children, to the retail sale of alcohol? Yes.... 105 No.... 895 4. Would you support a law prohibiting anyone under 21, from entering a retail liquor outlet, unless accompanied by parent or guardian? Yes.u 846 No...154 5. Do you think alcohol should be sold in grocery stores? Yes....370 No....630 MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES 22