Hackney: Liquor lobbyists whine; legislators listen

Long-standing policy doesn’t always translate to logical policy in Indiana, particularly as it relates to our ridiculously restrictive alcohol laws.

Yes, we have lawmakers spending a portion of this legislative session arguing about whether a convenience store owner should be permitted to sell cold beer — even though he’s been approved by the state’s alcohol-control agency to do so.

The Indiana-based Ricker’s convenience store chain recently began selling cold beer at stores in Columbus and Sheridan. Jay Ricker, head of the family-owned business, obtained alcohol permits typically assigned to restaurants. When House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne, found out about the sales, they vowed to close the loophole.

“It goes against long-term state policy,” Long said.

Long-term silly policy, I say.

Where it stands: Ricker's can sell cold beer for now

Cartoonist Gary Varvel: Ricker's cold beer battle

The showdown between Ricker’s and the General Assembly reeks of Prohibition-era antics. And instead of using this dispute as a jumping off point to modernize Indiana’s alcohol laws, lawmakers are content to sustain the status quo.

Ricker’s cold beer sales are legal because for the past couple years the company has served made-to-order Tex-Mex food such as burritos, quesadillas and nachos in a restaurant setting within the stores. They met all the qualifications for an in-store restaurant alcohol permit: food sales of $200,000 and a dining room seating capacity of at least 25.

After public hearings, the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission approved Ricker’s permits. That should have been the end of the story.

Yet, mean-spirited, consumer-crushing legislation that would continue to give liquor stores a monopoly on cold beer sales was rammed through the House Public Policy Committee and the entire Senate. Why? In large part because of the deep pockets of liquor store lobbyists, who have consistently fought off efforts to allow Sunday sales and cold beer at grocery and convenience stores.

On Wednesday, the House amended legislation to permit Ricker’s and other convenience stores already selling cold beer the ability to renew their licenses.

Inexplicably one day later, the House killed its bill, deciding to back the Senate’s more restrictive version that will prohibit Ricker’s from renewing its liquor license when it expires in nine months.

In a statement Thursday, Ricker said: “Despite the overwhelming public outcry for fairness and transparency regarding Ricker’s restaurants and reforming our state's liquor laws, the House inexplicably decided that Indiana should remain in the 1930s. The will of the people was thwarted today, and it is incumbent upon the leadership of the General Assembly to explain why.”

Just a day earlier, he said he felt encouraged by the evolving legislation and viewed it as a “call to action to address our state’s Depression-era liquor laws.”

Here’s the thing: I bet that the majority of Hoosiers have no qualms about the idea of cold beer being sold at convenience stores. I’d also wager that most Hoosiers do not oppose Sunday sales of alcohol.

So why then do lawmakers insist on taking the convenience out of convenience stores?

I know that answer. Because it could mean that the liquor store monopoly would feel a pinch in their bottom line. And that might lead to a drop in campaign contributions for legislators.

Now is the time to fix Indiana’s alcohol laws, many that have been in place since the 1930s. But our lawmakers continue to serve up warm beer and a bunch of hot air.

Email IndyStar columnist Suzette Hackney at suzette.hackney@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @suzyscribe.

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