As most already know, Maryland will remain one of the few states in the union that does not allow direct shipping of wine thanks to the states powerful liquor lobby. Ironically, thanks to the same lobby, the effort to make ignition interlock devices mandatory for drunk drivers also failed. Maryland is one of nineteen states without such a law. According to this editorial in The Washington Post, the liquor lobby’s best friends in Annapolis are Senate President Mike Miller and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Delegate Joseph F. Vallario.
“But it is mainly in Annapolis that the liquor lobby's winning percentage over the decades is unsurpassed. This year, the liquor lobby also managed to safeguard the absurd ban on the direct shipment of wine to Maryland homes and to kill a proposed increase in the tax on spirits, which the state last raised in 1955. The liquor lobby relies heavily on old-guard lawmakers like Mr. Vallario and the Senate president, Thomas V. "Mike" Miller.”
We were a bit luckier in HoCo. Despite the efforts of Guy Guzzone and Warren Miller, the initiative to limit the number of liquor stores in the county was defeated making it one of the few setbacks for the licensed beverage dealers in this year.
There is still hope.
Happy Snapper Mating
4 hours ago
