Category Archives: Legislative Events

Legislative events and news relevant to Minnesota liquor, wine, and beer consumers

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Harriet Brewing now filling any growler

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Harriet-Plus-Growlers-625x400
© Harriet Brewing

South Minneapolis craft brewery Harriet Brewing has announced that they will now fill any CLEAN growler customers bring into the brewery.

The change comes as a result of the Growler Freedom Bill authored by Sen Reinert, Sen. Osmek, and Rep M. Anderson.

“I’m happy to announce the Governor has signed the Omnibus Liquor bill into law on May 13, making the Sunday tap rooms and growler refill provisions effective immediately,” Sen. Reinert said. He added, “While there remains much more work to be done in Minnesota on the Sunday Sales issue, these small provisions are a step in the right direction and will lead to greater economic opportunity for our booming craft brew industry.”

The ability to refill growlers has always technically been legal, but many Minnesota craft brewers were hesitant to refill them without explicit permission. Brewers that choose to refill growlers (and it is a choice) will likely use some sort of sticker or label to cover the existing branding on refilled growlers and meet labeling requirements. And of course, don’t try to get your growlers filled on a Sunday, that would be just crazy…

To get all the details on Harriet Brewing’s revised growler policy follow this link.

Are there any other breweries refilling growlers? Give us a shout on facebook or twitter and let us know.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Minneapolis breweries begin Sunday taproom operations thanks to eased regulations

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Picture via Sociable Cider

Beginning this weekend, some Minneapolis breweries will be opening their taprooms for Sunday operations. The change comes thanks to the repeal of legal restrictions passed during the last legislative session.

The legislation was to allow Sunday taprooms was authored by Senator Roger Reinert in the Senate, and Representative Sarah Anderson in the House with Kahn, Paymar and Frieberg joining as co-authors.

You cannot purchase growlers from a brewpub or taproom (yet), but the tide is turning. By supporting legislators that listen to voters and making your voices heard we can all help to modernize Minnesota liquor laws.

Brewpubs are allowed to be open Sundays, but this is a first Minneapolis brewers.

The following taprooms will be open on Sundays:
Fulton Beer
Hours:
12-5pm
(starting July 13th)

Harriet Brewing
Hours:
12-8pm
(Bring in your own vinyl)

Boom Island Brewing
Hours:
12-6pm

612Brew
Hours:
11:30-9pm

Sociable Cider Werks
Hours:
10-6pm
(starting July 27th)

Enki Brewing (Victoria)
Hours
12-6pm

Lift Bridge Brewing (Stillwater)
Hours:
12-6pm
(Starting July 13th)

Steel Toe Brewing (St. Louis Park)
Hours:
12-6pm

Did we miss any taprooms? Let us know in the comments below.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Democratic Visions on Minnesota Liquor Law

Mary Stanik: Minnesota Liquor Law

Author, Democratic Visions commentator, and Minnpost contributor Mary Stanik gives her thoughts on the failure of a 2014 Minnesota legislative bill that would have permitted Sunday liquor store sales.

Democratic Visions is hand crafted by volunteers (mostly DFLers) from Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina and Bloomington and can be seen on the following cable systems:
Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie – Comcast Channel 15 – Sundays at 9 p.m., Mondays at 10:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Minneapolis – MTN Channel 16 – Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ; Mondays at 3:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m
Bloomington – BCAT Cable Channel 16 – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.; Fridays at 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Special Interests and Crony Politics Stop Sunday Growler Sales for Minnesota Brewers

The initiative to legalize Sunday liquor sales, a perennial issue at the Minnesota legislature, has once again met defeat at the hands of Minnesota lawmakers. Advocates for repeal tried a different approach for this year by offering a an array of bills ranging from full repeal to growler (64oz jugs) sales at qualifying small Minnesota breweries and brewpubs.

Sunday growler sales were adopted by both House and Senate Commerce Committees with little discussion. It appeared there would be some small progress toward Sunday liquor sales. Then, having taken no part in the public process, lobbyists for the  powerful Joint Council 32 Teamsters Union stepped in. (Read)

Former Teamster and Senate Tax Committee Chairman Sen. Rod Skoe (D-Clearwater), pulled the bill into the Senate Tax committee. The tax hearing, which had exceptionally short notice to the public, lasted less than 5 minutes and resulted in a the Senate version of the liquor bill without growlers. The full Senate added the Sunday growler provision back to the bill the very next day only to have the bill’s author, Sen Jim Metzen (D-South St. Paul), table the bill. (Read)

Faced with a liquor bill that contained several politically important provisions, including beer sales at TCF Stadium, House author Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights) took the controversial step of amended a gambling amendment. The gambling (now liquor bill) amendment included all the previously approved liquor provisions except Sunday growlers. But, because of House rules no amendments further could be offered. (Read) Rep Atkins tried to justify the unusual procedures by shifting blame to the Senate. In reality the Senate passed a liquor bill with Sunday growlers provisions, and with bipartisan support. (Video)

The un-amendable liquor bill put members of the House in an awkward situation. Representatives were left with no opportunity to discuss or amend the bill on behalf of their constituents. After much discussion about rules and procedures members voted to accept the now gambling/liquor omnibus bill as it was presented, without Sunday growler sales.

“The public’s voice was silenced today. The process utilized to bring the Omnibus Liquor bill forward lacked transparency and prohibited the ability of any member to offer an amendment on liquor issues—even though Minnesotans overwhelmingly support Sunday growler sales,” said Rep. Loon, a staunch supporter of changing the state’s outdated liquor laws. “By excluding the growler sales provision, House DFL leaders are hampering entrepreneurial activity, keeping businesses and their jobs from growing in our state.”

The new House version of the omnibus liquor bill was sent to the Senate where it passed. From there it went to Governor Dayton for a signature. Governor Dayton signed it into law earlier this week.

In a press conference last week. Sen Reinert said Sunday liquor sales is now a campaign issue. House Deputy Minority Leader Loon agreed, and a recent editorial in the Post Bulletin (Read) certainly echoes the sentiment.

No doubt Minnesotans across the state are angry. The crony politics that kept Sunday growlers, a very small Sunday liquor sales compromise, from passing have shown opposition isn’t really concerned with Mom & Pop stores after all.

The real tragedy is that Minnesota politicians that voted against Sunday growlers also voted to stifle a growing a industry. The craft brewing industry in Minnesota now accounts for some 8,000 jobs and $80 million in revenue. What could have been one of the best examples of Governor Dayton’s “Unsession” turned into a sad display politics as usual.

Thankfully Minnesota craft brewers aren’t done fighting.

“Allowing Sunday growler sales is an opportunity to help small Minnesota businesses grow,” said Jamie MacFarlane of Castle Danger Brewery. She continued, “We will miss out on Sunday growler sales this tourist season, along with all the other breweries who rely on those tourists returning home to share great beer with their friends and families. We are committed to making Sunday growlers a reality for Minnesota craft beer fans.”

To stay up on this and other topics make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter or RSS-feed and look for a voter guide coming early in the fall via SundaySalesMN.org

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Omnibus liquor bill offered to House with no ability to amend, passes after objections

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A case of mistaken identity

Somehow a gambling bill became a liquor bill Thursday when Rep Joe Atkins (D) added a bevvy of liquor provisions from the existing liquor omnibus liquor bill, but none that would include Sunday growlers for small Minnesota brewers. Rep Atkins tried to justify the unusual procedures by shifting blame to the Senate.

“This is not my preferred approach to this bill,” Atkins said. “But these are all of the provisions proven to be noncontroversial. If we add Sunday growler sales, the Senate won’t take it up.”

In reality the Senate passed liquor a bill with Sunday growlers provisions, and with bipartisan support.

Can you really do that?

Remember the electronic gambling machines in bars that were supposed to pay for a new Minnesota Vikings Stadium? The bill in question was related to electronic gambling fraud, and electronic gaming machines. The shaky premise was that gaming machines are in bars, that means the bill being amended is about liquor. The move was unconventional enough to raise objections citing Rule of the House 3.21.

ARTICLE III – MOTIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND OTHER PROPOSITIONS 3.21 MOTIONS AND PROPOSITIONS MUST BE GERMANE.

(a) A motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration must not be admitted under guise of its being an amendment. A motion, amendment, or other proposition offered to the House is out of order if it is not germane to the matter under consideration. Whether a proposition is germane to the matter under consideration is a question to be decided by the presiding officer, who may put the question to the House. (b) An amendment to an amendment on the House floor must relate only to the primary amendment, without introducing any new subject. Speaker Thissen (D) did not rule on the objection, but put the rules in question to the members for a vote. To his credit Speaker Thissen was among those that voted to find the point of order “well taken.”

“I am going to vote with Drazkowski, as shocking as that may be.” said Rep. Tina Leibling (D).

Continue reading Omnibus liquor bill offered to House with no ability to amend, passes after objections →

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Senate votes on Sunday liquor sales amendment – How they voted

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Full repeal falls short

Senator Brandon Peterson (R) offered an amendment for full repeal of Sunday sales.
Senator Peterson clearly realizes The Volstead Act is dead and it is time to put a final nail in the coffin.
Video link
– Amendment not adopted

Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Michelle R. Benson (31, R)
Continue reading Senate votes on Sunday liquor sales amendment – How they voted →

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Senate liquor omnibus tabled


If you are into policy or have some time to kill you can watch the entire reading here.

No go for local option

Senator Jeremy Miller (R), introduced an amendment to allow a local opt-in for Sunday liquor sales. He stressed the importance for border communities that lose business across state lines. Senator Metzen suggested that such a bill be heard in his commerce committee first, of course this is a bill that he chose not have heard earlier in the session.
– Not adopted

Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Michelle R. Benson (31, R)
Terri E. Bonoff (44, DFL)
Continue reading Senate liquor omnibus tabled →

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Senate Tax Committee stripped Sunday growler sales from liquor omnibus

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Senator Rod Skoe (DFL) District 02
Senator Rod Skoe (DFL) District 02

The Senate Tax Committee met this morning to finally hear the liquor omnibus. Unfortunately, the result was as expected. The Senate Tax Committee stripped Sunday growler sales from liquor omnibus after getting getting enough voice votes to do so.

What do Sunday growler sales have to with taxes?

It seems Chairman Skoe is opposed to Sunday growler sales because he feels Sunday growler sales could eventually impact some of property taxes that might be supplemented by municipal liquor stores.

Chairman Skoe’s argument against Sunday growlers is shaky at best. It sounds a bit like the old slippery slope fallacy. Sunday growlers would not mean Sunday liquor sales for other retailers, municipal or otherwise.

“Sunday sales is Sunday sales,” Skoe said. “They were going to do an incremental approach. This is the first step, and next year they’ll be looking at six packs; and then they’ll want cases, and pretty soon they’ll go beyond.”
MPR – May 5, 2014

Now what?

With well funded special interests like the Teamsters Joint Council 32 & MN Licensed Beverage Assoc. moving to have even the small Sunday provisions killed it has never been more important to call your legislators and tell them you support a full repeal of the ban on Sunday liquor sales. Find Your Legislators.

Floor Amendments

Over 4,000 Minnesotans have sent an email to their legislators through SundaySalesMN.org.  A full repeal of Sunday liquor sales is gaining traction and many legislators are listening to the latest polls.  It is almost guaranteed that there will be floor amendments for full repeal on the House & Senate floor. If you want Sunday liquor sales passed you need to CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS!

Elections

Legislators should be expected to carry out the will of Minnesotans and repeal the ban Sunday liquor sales. Expect a full scorecard on how your elected officials voted on Sunday sales that you can take with you to the voting booth this coming November.