Anita gets a response on HB1093

Since the House of Representatives had a snow day yesterday, there is still time to get your voice heard.

If you haven't had the chance to send your support on HB1093, for the inclusion of locally made beer and wine for sale at the State Fair, we hope this response from Representative Davis (in response to Anita Johnson's letter) will help.  

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Dear Ms. Johnson,

Thanks for your email about HB 1093, which deals with alcohol sales at the State Fair.  As you know, this bill has been assigned to the Public Policy Committee, of which I am the Chairman.

As Chairman, I can assure you that I will carefully review all alcohol bills and study both sides of every issue before making any decisions.  We in the General Assembly want to ensure that Indiana's alcohol sales laws are both fair and responsible, and we'll review each bill to determine what is best in terms of public policy. 

On one hand, I understand the desire of many people to have alcohol available at the State Fair, but on the other hand, I also understand the compelling interest in keeping the State Fair a safe and family-friendly place where we show our children that we can have fun without the presence of alcohol.  I am keeping an open mind on this issue and will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as we proceed.

Again, thanks for voicing your opinions on this important issue.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any future questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Rep. Bill Davis
House District 33

BD:PD

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Thanks again! 

Great Fermentations Needs Your Help!

This comes from our friend, Anita Johnson, at Great Fermentations.  We hope you'll read it and support the efforts.

I usually do not ask the Great Fermentations customer base to support my charities or causes but because we have a shared interest in beer and wine, I am writing to ask for your help.
There is a bill before the Indiana House of Representatives, HB1093, which would change Indiana law to finally allow beer and wine to be sold at the fairgrounds during the Indiana State Fair. Preference would be given to our Indiana-based commercial brewers and winemakers. The fair is committed to responsible consumption by allowing beer and wine to be served and consumed only in designated “beer gardens” and not allowing over consumption to ruin the family atmosphere of the fair.

I whole-heartedly support this bill because I enjoy the fair. The additional revenue generated by alcohol sales will help to close recent reductions in the fair budget. But more importantly it will support and promote Indiana brewers and winemakers from across the state. 

Unfortunately there is some opposition to even hearing the bill before the house committee. Representative Bill Davis of Jay County does not want to allow the bill to come to committee. If you agree with this bill, would you take a moment to email Rep. Davis, Rep. Brian Bosma and your own representative and let them know you not only support the hearing but the passage of this bill this year. Time is of the essence because the proposed hearing is Tuesday, February 1st. 

I have included some suggested text if you want to copy and paste into an email or get inspired and write your own. You can find email addresses for all of state representatives here:
http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl

For Representative Bosma:
I would like to ask you to encourage Rep. Davis about hearing HB1093 regarding allowing Indiana made beer and wine to be served on the fairgrounds during the Indiana State Fair. Because this will add revenue to the fair and support Indiana based businesses I see it as a win for the state.

For Representative Davis:
I would like to encourage you to bring HB 1093 before your committee. This bill addresses the availability of Indiana made beer and wine at the Indiana State Fair. Because this will add revenue to the fair and support Indiana based businesses I see it as a win for the state. The fair is committed to responsible consumption by allowing beer and wine to be served and consumed only in designated “beer gardens” and not allowing over consumption to ruin the family atmosphere of the fair. And I whole-heartedly support the bill and hope you will too.

Anita Johnson

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Thanks everyone!