11:36 am Latest call for Tenn. supermarket wine sales fails
NASHVILLE (AP) — The latest effort to allow wine to be sold in Tennessee supermarkets has failed for lack of a sponsor in the state Senate, but supporters of the measure insist their goal is not defeated for the year.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that Republican Rep. Jon Lundberg of Bristol had expected a better fate for his bill because it would require voters to approve supermarket wine sales in their city or county.
“Who could be against letting people vote?” he asked.
But David McMahan, a lobbyist for the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association, which opposes changes to the current system, argued that local referendums would allow big box retailers like Wal-Mart and Costco to spend large amounts of money to spread what he called “misinformation.”
Lundberg said that while his latest effort has failed, there are still similar bills left over from last session that could be resurrected.
Under current law, wine and liquor sales are limited to state-licensed liquor stores. Supermarkets can sell nothing more potent than beer.
House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, have both spoken out in favor of past versions of the bill, but the measure has been met with more resistance among rank-and-file lawmakers who have raised concerns about the impact on existing liquor store owners and expanding the availability of alcohol.
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