WAIT TILL YOU HEAR THEIR LATEST PLAN …
|| By FITSNEWS || This website has royally pissed off everybody in the ongoing debate over “reforming” South Carolina’s liquor laws.
Small and mid-sized liquor retailers don’t like our pure free market position in support of the complete deregulation of the industry, while the larger providers – and 400-pound gorilla Walmart – don’t appreciate us rebuking their attempt to carve a nice special interest handout for themselves within existing law.
Who have we pissed off the most, though? Liberal lobbyists Tommy Moore (a former State Senator) and his son Baylen Moore, who represents Total Wine and More – one of the shadiest of the larger liquor providers.
The Moores are livid at us, in no small part because we’ve exposed the truth about this so-called “free market” legislation – effectively stopping it in its tracks within the S.C. General Assembly.
Oh, and we’ve also exposed their cozy relationships at the S.C. Department of Revenue (SDDOR) – which has been less than eager to hold this firm accountable for its questionable business practices.
So … what’s a well-funded special interest to do (seeing as their plan to bring in the Bible Thumpers fell flat on its face)?
Answer: Attach their handout to one of the most egregious examples of government overreach we’ve seen in recent memory (which is saying something for the ever-overreaching S.C. General Assembly).
According to our sources, Walmart and Total Wine – the big backers of the “free market” liquor bill – want to see some forward motion on their preferred language. And fast. Especially with a key May 1 “crossover” deadline looming (after which point bills need a two-thirds majority to be recalled from one chamber to another).
So these special interests have instructed their legislative allies (such as they are) to attach their handout onto a State Senate bill banning powdered alcohol.
Wait … what?
That’s right … they’re attaching (or planning to attach) their handout to S. 179, a bill which overwhelmingly passed the S.C. Senate and is currently sitting before a S.C. House committee (the same committee which declined to advance the Walmart/ Total Wine handout as standalone legislation).
S. 179 purports to address the “menace” of powdered alcohol, which was recently approved by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
Apparently South Carolina lawmakers – at the behest of the liquid alcohol industry – wants to ban the new substance because they’re afraid people might snort it. Or (gasp) make really strong liquor drinks with it.
Really?
This bill is nanny statism at its worst … which is why it’s hilarious these so-called “free marketers” are using it as their preferred method of sneaking a special interest handout through the back door. Guess with their “free market” spin having been exposed, they can’t be bothered with keeping up appearances any longer …
We reject both of these nonsensical proposals: The liquor handout and the nanny statist powdered alcohol ban it is being attached to …
As we’ve said from the beginning of this debate, government needs to get out of this business … period.
58 comments
SC has some bassackward laws about alcohol. Every time a store opens your bible thumpers are out there to get petitions signed. We have or have recently had such an event in my area – which is ridiculous, all based on proximity to the church, which isn’t that close….LOL.
Anyways, another issue – I like red wine. Interesting enough, we have limited abilities to get wine shipped across state lines. Most of the Reds I want, cannot order direct, SC isn’t on the list of states that allow that.
Your entire post is a lie.From your ‘everytime …bible thumper’ horseshit to your lie about getting wine shipped into SC. You are telling me trader Joe’s won’t ship you Red wine? You are lying. I just called them.
Liberals lie.You are better than most.
Look closely FC, I understand you have reader’s deficit, but I am trying to buy wine from wineries – i.e. EOS in CA. Look at the wineries – the originators, not distributors, but the makers of wine.
SC has allowed wineries to ship directly to consumers since 2004.
Do you have a link? I have tried two wineries. One I now see SC on the list. One I had a conversation with about 3 years ago, they couldn’t ship to SC.
I am relying on personal experience.
Sorry, it was 2003. http://wineinstitute.shipcompliant.com/StateDetail.aspx?StateId=39
I think this might be the rub “Permit-holding wineries are allowed to ship no more than 24 bottles of wine monthly to an adult resident in South Carolina, and they must abide by annual reporting requirements.” wiki
Key words “permit holding wineries” – no idea what it requires to get a permit, but…
They fill out an application and pay the fee. Most wineries who do direct shipping are licensed to ship to SC. Whether they are or not is a business decision they make. SC law is as liberal as any in the country on this.
I just looked up legislation – probably has to do with demand v. fees and paper work?
“(G)(1) A shipment of wine from out-of-state direct to consumers in this State from persons who do not possess a current out-of-state shipper’s license is prohibited. A person who knowingly makes, participates in, transports, imports, or receives such a shipment from out-of-state is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined one hundred dollars. A shipment of wine which violates any provision of this item is contraband.”
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t61c004.php
Yep. The wineries determine whether their market (actual or potential) here justifies the expense and trouble of getting the permit. Most do, some don’t.
Thanks much for the information. It wasn’t important enough for me to look up until I got into a debate about it. Then, of course, I am forced to look at the laws.
Interesting enough, I used to order from EOS, 4 bottles per month. I cancelled it because I got pregnant and breastfed, so I had expensive wine piling up and much I gave away and finally canceled it. Then I tried to get it again and was not able to. They probably had not renewed permit at the time.
I’ll call them.
Actually, they have apparently updated it within the past 6 months or so since I checked with them. They do now show SC as a state they can ship to.
As for the former, that is absolutely true. I don’t drink moon shine or whatever it is this tine lil place out here in the country sells. However, they are trying to sell some kind of alcohol and a lady in the church told me about it, because she disagrees. The business is not next to the church, maybe a mile or 3? But they are trying to shut down the business that sells alcohol. This was a month maybe 3 ago.
And while EOS, now shows SC on their list, they did not in the recent past. I also know the place in WV didn’t. I called directly a couple years or three ago. I think the issue is they need a distributor in the area and some kind of license is required? I can look it up, but hasn’t been worth my time.
Whatever it takes to allow Walmart to sell liquor would be a good thing for the consumer, especially if Walmart is allowed to buy direct from the manufacturer and bypass the distributors in this state.
Individuals could buy direct, if SC allowed it. I’m not talking a truckload, but a few bottles at time. Most of them have some kind of special if you purchase 4 per month, at least that is my experience. It is the better quality wine, i.e. EOS French Connection, but last I checked their site, SC is not on the list of states they can ship to.
There is also a winery in WV that had some interesting wine, but again, they can’t ship to SC.
“I’m not talking a truckload”
Speak for yourself buddy!
LMAO – I would be afraid to buy a truckload. Wine is my candy, thus the reason I don’t have a wine cellar. If I were to buy a truckload of wine – wow! I’d probably be posting T&A shots on FITS – haha!
Uh-Oh! Some gal is about to get out of hand..!!
Anyone who wants to shut down FITSNEWS, I could do it in a day with a truckload of wine!
You guys would be praying T&A went away for a very long time ;)
I’ve lived a cosmopolitan existence, and have been to exotic cities and locales, I have been around the block (although it now comes to mind that a few did need 2 or 3 blocks)…..(sighs)
If you are looking to escape cosmopolitan existence… I am most certain after a “truckload” of wine, I would be most entertaining ;)
You might make more than a few trips around the block, because after a truckload, no telling where I might end up. That’s the only real reason I have tried truckload….ha!
I meant to say *haven’t. I cut my nails to improve typing, but too easily distracted to proofread.
I’m at odds with what to do next with many coals on the hearth – so I brushed off the cobwebs of several adult beverages stowed away in odd places, such as behind books, awards, and so forth. So I said to my self, “Self, let’s give birth to a new story.” After a few mixes and misses it came to me – “Rhapsody in Brew”, with the main character as Synn Phulloph Phunn. I’ll have to develop her more fully during my next brainstorm.
LOL – you are funny and serious at the same time…hmmmm. How is Annabella from Amarillo?
What is your poison? I don’t much care much for mixed drinks they are a bit unpredictable for me. Last time I had tequila, early 20’s, I got mad at my BF (rightfully so I might add) and threw a spiked heel aimed for his head, but he ducked and it spike stuck in the sheetrock. Can you believe the fool married me after that?
I was so embarrassed the next day I swore off tequila forever. I try to stick strictly to wine, but occasionally beer.
I look forward to reading more about Synn Phulloph Phunn….LOLOL ;)
You do realize that I’m going to credit you as the main inspiration for the heroine… and I plagiarize from everywhere!
“I got mad at my BF (rightfully so I might add) and threw a spiked heel aimed for his head, but he ducked and it spike stuck in the sheetrock.” Did Lowes make you pay for the sheetrock?
LOL – should be one interesting, dark comedy ;). Yeah, I got it – but you did not take Common Core did you? That would been “Sin Phulll ov Phun”
Lowe’s wasn’t involved, it was his apartment in FL. He taught me how to “fix” an apartment on move out. I learned was mud an paint was. I also learned how to cover a carpet cigarette burn – just take the carpet fuzz and super glue it to the holes ;) BTW he was the one who burned the holes!
He is one cool dude…
Mr. Henry, you are an amateur and certainly don’t know how to treat a woman in a story. I’m stealing her to use in my next adventure, but whether as the good dame or the bad dame. You are writing a short story but Hammer creates literature!
I love it when men fight over me! I do have a liking for Henry, but Hammer you are coming in strong ;)
Over a year ago he teased us about the time that he and another agent were assigned to vet two female agents in Hong Kong. One was a Russian and the other was from Shanghai. Well, we’ve never seen anything posted here about that incredible episode in his “intelligence career”. Mr. Folks’ book will be at Barnes & Noble before we hear any more about that from Mr. “Hemingway” Henry!
Tread gently into the night Mr. Hammer ;)
I think you have just hit on Mr. Henry’s shame about his reluctance in revealing more. It will be a “touch and feel” book sort of like the ones we bought for our toddlers when they were three years old. Those books with the animals covered in fuzz to represent fur so the kiddies can “pet” them. Geez! He needs to be reported to Philip Marlowe and Travis McGee.
Max, is that you..??
I have no idea who it is…LOL. I think I jokingly stepped into something personal maybe?
Euwe Max will send out zingers to folks every now and then….
He does have some zingers! He is like a walking encyclopedia full of information that he can bend in twist in the most creative ways.
(heh-heh) you said ‘twist’
Yeah and there’s those typos again ;)
Sooo, ya’ get tingly fingers when thinking about me? That’s sweet!
Gushy to say the least ;)
I’m curious – will your book be a “touch and feel” or a “look and wish” ?
hey, thanks for reminding me to get back to it
He really was. A good person, with different goals. I’m sure you know all about that, given your experience with cosmopolitan women?
We might just want to skip to Turn The Page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd-acqKRvso
Wine.com ships to SC. I’ve ordered many times.
I get emails from them somehow, but I always thought spam. I have a particular fondness for EOS French Connection after visiting a winery in CA several years ago. I sent them an email to get on mailing list for 4 bottles per month, which is one of the only options because it is a reserve wine, but no response. When I look on their site, SC isn’t on the list of states they can ship to.
I’ll check out wine.com, maybe they by chance have it? Thanks!
On the left of the “Wine” page, there’s a selection of “90+ Rated Wines under $20.” I’ve found some outstanding buys there. They deliver via UPS on a date you designate. The shipment must be signed for.
That EOS French Connection is the expensive candy, but one of my favorite cheap wines – Robert Mondavi Coastal Cabernet. I can’t stand the Woodbridge, but I do like the Coastal. I also prefer it shipped ;)
The alcoholic beverage buying labyrinth of SC is just another example of the rampant hypocrisy of the state’s “free market” Republicans.
Wait until you see the “free market” in selling the state’s water resources, its river, lake, and aquifer water. Those in the know are trying to grab up permits for far more than they need and when the available amount allowed to be permitted (some proportion of what flows by) begins to run out, then it’s bonanza time for the early permit holders: “You can just buy it from me,” as they sell the water rights for water they neither need nor own.
Does Duke or SCG&E own the water rights to their manmade lakes?
I am pretty sure not, but am not positive.
Bring back the Dispensary!
You have zero influence over what happens at the Statehouse. Consequently, no one is pissed off at you. “Disinterested” would more accurately describe it.
http://www.golaurens.com/component/k2/item/20631
Here’s more corruption in Laures County. Development Corporation getting big bucks of taxpayer cash. Why does new leadership expose past corruption?? We’ve been telling this for years and now here’s evidence. New leadership tries to follow law, and gets in argument. Thank God for Chairman Joe Wood and new councilman Stewart Jones. They do right. Senior leadership being advised to resign before terminated.
Has anybody tried any of the Johny Bootlegger ‘shots’ from Canada? They are a 12% malt beverage in various flavors. My taste buds like the “Alcatraz Sour Apple” and the Syndicate “City Sour Peach.” They come in 6.8 oz. flat bottles that fit conveniently in your back pocket (guys) or in the cleavage of a conveniently sized gal.
Can’t say I have tried any of that – the “City Sour Peach” makes my lips pucker and at $1.80 who can resist?
Somebody needs to go to jail in Laurens!!!!!!
http://wlbg.com/2015/04/29/filot-funds-to-lcdc-cut-on-1st-reading/
Four thousand for a catered meal? In Laurens? I seriously hope they enjoyed it!