H.B. 124 Restricts the Power of Future Voters

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, April 12, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Strange things are happening in Georgia. When I read H.B. 124 for the first time, I thought it would never pass, but it did and I’m confounded! The introductory paragraph says H.B. 124 will change how retail sales of distilled spirits and other alcoholic beverages are governed. Then, it explains the major change it makes for voters who have, historically, had the right to determine what, if any, alcohol will be sold in their district.

H.B. 124 ties the hands of future voters by brazenly stating that an election in which the majority of voters disapprove of Sunday retail package sales of malt beverages, wine and distilled spirits can-NOT nullify the prior election that APPROVED Sunday retail package sales of malt beverages and wine. And, yes, that IS the correct reading of H.B. 124.

This is a prime reason legislation must be carefully read to understand what it will do. By reading every word, not skipping any words and not adding words to what’s written, the gist of the bill will be evident. When I applied that to this bill, I learned that future voters CAN vote to STOP Sunday sales of DISTILLED SPIRITS, but future voters CANNOT stop Sunday retail sales of malt beverages and wine, regardless of how big the majority IS that want it stopped.Unless the governor vetoes H.B. 124, two things will happen: (1) Sunday retail sales of malt beverages and wine will continue, with no threat from voters. (2) Sunday retail sales of malt beverages and wine cannot be stopped UNLESS future legislators change this law and return power to voters. (3) Sunday sales of hard liquor and whiskey will be the only alcoholic beverages voters CAN stop.

Distilled spirits include liquor (alcoholic drinks made by distillation), rum (from fermented sugar cane or molasses) and whiskey (strong alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented mash of grain, especially rye, wheat, corn or barley). Malt is barley or other grain soaked and softened in water until it sprouts, then kiln-dried, brewed and distilled into beverages, such as beer and ale.

If H.B. 124 is not vetoed, it automatically becomes law July 1st. Since it’s obvious the bill protects beer, ale and wine businesses at the expense of community values, please call 404 656-1776 and ask the governor to veto H.B. 124 and restore voter control over their culture. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.