JEFFERSON CITY \u2013 Much of the state\u2019s public policy may be contingent on the outcome of two liquor control bills before the General Assembly which address liquor law regulations struck down earlier by a federal judge.<\/p>\n
Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention\u2019s Christian Life Commission, said Missouri Baptist churches should take note and, preferably take action.
\nMissouri\u2019s regulatory structure divides the industry into three basic categories \u2013 producers, distributors and retailers, Messer explained.<\/p>\n
He said that much of the state\u2019s controls rest on heavy regulations on the middle men \u2013 the distributors \u2013 which, in effect, help control producers and retailers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe success for several decades has been a very stringent residency requirement to be a liquor distributor in Missouri,\u201d he said. The requirement was upheld in Missouri court multiple times over a period of many years.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, a recent federal court judge has tossed out this residency restriction and, in effect, has created a potentially crippling impact on our state\u2019s liquor regulatory structure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Messer reported that huge out-of-state liquor conglomerates are now influencing dozens of the state\u2019s high dollar and most influential lobbyists whose goal is to prevent passage of bills which would reinstate Missouri\u2019s requirements and preserve the regulatory structure.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce invested in the profit taking of Missouri\u2019s alcohol consumers, this billion dollar industry could take over and control the vast majority of public policy development,\u201d Messer said.<\/p>\n
Two bills have been introduced that would prevent that.
\nSen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar and a member of First Baptist Church of Bolivar, is sponsoring Senate Bill 365. Rep Caleb Jones, R-California, has introduced House Bill 759.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe failure of these bills will result in some of the nation\u2019s largest and most aggressive liquor industries to take over Missouri\u2019s alcohol operations and regulatory structures,\u201d Messer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMissouri Baptist churches must engage in communicating to lawmakers the immediate need.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
JEFFERSON CITY \u2013 Much of the state\u2019s public policy may be contingent on the outcome of two liquor control bills before the General Assembly which address liquor law regulations struck down earlier by a federal judge. Kerry Messer, lobbyist for Missouri Baptist Convention\u2019s Christian Life Commission, said Missouri Baptist churches should take note and, preferably […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":12042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_wpscp_schedule_draft_date":"","_wpscp_schedule_republish_date":"","_wpscppro_advance_schedule":false,"_wpscppro_advance_schedule_date":"","_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_selected_social_profile":[]},"categories":[7,17,98,236,293],"tags":[244],"yoast_head":"\n