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| P. O. Box 22100, Lexington, KY 40522 |
Phone: 859-255-5400
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Sponsored by Sen. Vernie McGaha, R-Russell Springs
DESCRIPTION: This bill
would return state law to pre-2000 status quo where the only options were
“wet” and “dry”, thus repealing current state law that permits a local
option election in dry counties (known as the “moist” option) that allows
restaurants to sell liquor.
STATUS: Because this bill is in response to a radical change of the local option law that was passed quietly in last year’s session, debate should be lively. That bill, SB 247, had been designed to implement minor changes and was even embraced by the Kentucky Temperance League. It was then altered and slipped through during the confusion toward the end of the session. |
êIn
Senate Committee
ê Passed Senate Committee ò Passed by Full Senate o Signed by Governor ñ Passed by Full House ñ Passed House Committee ñ In House Committee |
| SUPPORTERS SAY: The “moist” option enacted in the 2000 legislative session is just an “end run” around counties that want to remain dry. Citizens in smaller counties where the county as a whole wants to remain dry have basically had their right to remain dry taken away from them by the provision of an option where a city inside the county can be wet. The legislation responsible for this so-called “moist” option was a result of a provision clandestinely passed in 2000. | OPPONENTS SAY: Localities should have all options available to them, and cities should not be held hostage to what the rest of the county wants in regard to alcohol policy. Many cities in dry counties would like to attract nicer restaurants but many restaurants will not locate in dry areas if they cannot sell alcohol. Besides, when it comes to drinking and driving, restaurants are the safest places to operate bars. Cities shouldn’t be held hostage to counties. |
THE FAMILY FOUNDATION:
YES! The whole issue was not properly (openly) debated last session
when legislators slipped the current changes into the bill. Besides,
a county cannot be “dry” and “wet” at the same time. Therefore, the “moist”
option is nothing more than a subterfuge, pushed by those touting financial
gain, to allow counties to go partially wet even when the county as a whole
elects not to do so.
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