COMMENTARY Follow The Money On Liquor
Posted: February 12, 2011 at 4:26 a.m.
House Bill 1282 would “clarify that a liquor permit applies to one location and a person, firm, or corporation shall not use a liquor permit for multiple locations.” The bill sailed through the House with a 92-3 vote and is headed for the Senate for final legislative action, according to reports in whichever newspaper we throw in the general direction of your house.
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Opinion, Pages 5 on 02/12/2011
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Best ever Mr Caudle! plus, well-needed remarks.
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However you omitted the pertinent
information that forcing Sam's Wholesale
to do business in Fayetteville cost Springdale
ONE MILLION IN SALES TAX REVENUES PER YEAR.
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Thanks Chamber of Commerce. Think it's well past time to reign in some of that $200,000 of welfare you received from city taxpayers every year. You're not worth it.
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Posted by: cdawg
February 12, 2011 at 5:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thank You Bob Caudle for telling it like it is!
I testified on Tuesday before the senate committee Sen. Sue Madison chairs and came back to NWA disappointed in being an Arkansan and sent the following to my friends:
Don’t let Macadoodles be Prohibited from Expanding in Arkansas!
Tell your state senator to vote Against HB 1282!
HB 1282 was drafted specifically to stop Macadoodles from expanding in Arkansas!
Please boycott all Springdale Liquor Stores except Macadoodles! Please tell your friends to do the same! Spread the word!
Why?
I have never been more disappointed to be an Arkansan than I was on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. This state is forcing a native Arkansan to leave and move to Missouri in order to invest and prosper as a business owner.
During my testimony yesterday, I told the senate committee on state agencies and governmental affairs that I can remember when our license plates read "Land of Opportunity" and the passage of HB 1282 fly’s in the face it.
I am sorely disappointed in most of our state representatives who voted for this bill in the House of Representatives!
If you are disappointed that your representative voted against competition, free enterprise, job growth and what is best for you the consumer, please let them know by asking them to vote Against HB 1282!
I urged the eight senate committee members to vote against this bill.
Senators Kim Hendren and Robert Thompson were the only champions voting for Arkansas small business, competition and the consumer. Thank you Senator Hendren and Senator Thompson.
Shame on Senators Bill Pritchard, Johnny Key and Gilbert Baker who alienated the Republican party and for what it stands by voting for this bill. Regardless of party affiliation or position on consumption of alcohol, who shouldn't be for competition, free enterprise, small business development and job creation?
You also have to thank Senators Sue Madison (no surprise) and David Johnson for allowing this Bill to go to the Senate floor for a vote!
The Arkansas consumer had the most to lose and we were let down by our elected representatives for the sole purpose of furthering the selfish, monopolistic interest of a few.
Please let your state senator know how you feel and ask them to vote Against HB 1282 when it reaches the Senate Floor! It’s still not too late! Contact your state senator and representative now!
Since I have been abandoned by my home state, I will now focus my energies with my business partners by investing in the much more business and consumer friendly state of Missouri by raising $14Million in equity capital to build 25 Macadoodles stores over the next 10 years, employing approximately 1,250 Missourians with a $38.7 Million annual payroll and total capital investment in excess of $87.5 Million – All in the state of Missouri!
Now that’s progress don’t you think Arkansas Legislature?
Bruce Branch
rbbranchjr@gmail.com
479-616-2333
Posted by: rbbranchjr
February 12, 2011 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
This is enough to drive me to drink!
Posted by: Oldearkie
February 12, 2011 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
The only way there could be "liquor stores on every corner" is if there is a market for that much liquor. Even if Louisiana had a liquor store on every corner-- which it does not-- the people of Arkansas are different from the people in Louisiana. Our history and cultural influences are completely different, and no reasonable assessment of the people of Arkansas could lead to an expectation of "drive-through martini bars" here.
And if the people were so inclined, that is the point at which the legislature should intervene in will of the people. To obstruct the will of the people (which this time is also their best interest) at this point in the legal consideration of alcohol is chicanery.
Of course there is the strong possibility that when considering open-container laws at some point in the future, the legislature could be led to vote for such laws by a special-interest group in favor of drinking while driving. We have just seen that the legislature can easily be swayed by a small cartel that makes money from the sale of alcohol.
Posted by: AlphaCat
February 12, 2011 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thank you Mr. Caudle. Thank you for standing up for free enterprise, job creation and against over regulation by our Arkansas Legislature. It is a shame that our legislators don't understand the outcome of laws that they enact.
If HB1282 becomes law, Arkansas consumers will lose. They'll be charged higher prices due to less competition from good franchise operations. There are over 50 different franchise industries in Arkansas, but if HR1282 there will be no liquor franchise stores that employ many more people than local "corner" liquor stores. Franchise stores are owned locally, and they know their customers and service them well with the best prices.
Everyone needs to contact their senators and ask that they vote against HR1282.
Thanks again!
Posted by: Saminvest
February 13, 2011 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I have every intention of boycotting the Phillips stores and encouraging my friends to do the same. As soon as Sue Madison comes up for reelection I am going to everything I can to make sure she does NOT return to Little Rock. She is one of those who want dictate to others that everything should be the way she wants and is probably being sponsered by the SLA. It wouldn't surprise me if she was receiving something in return...
Posted by: Apbacker
February 13, 2011 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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