Alabama Homebrew Legislation 2013

[woknblues]

It would almost be funny if it wasn't so sad. I love the response, "We have more important things to worry about". No, you don't. As an elected official, you are obligated to your constituents. This is why, historically speaking, elected positions were not the most desired ones. This is what is wrong with our "democracy". The positions are sought not to help our country, but to help themselves.

 

[MTate37]

Got my first response from Thomas Whatley after my email today. He says he hasn't heard about a filibuster. ALCAP lobbied him, but he says he told them sorry and he is committed to HB9. Too bad he isn't on the rules committee.

 

[isleofman]

I have decided that if The Senate doesn't bring HB9 to at least a vote, I am no longer going to buy commercial beer in Alabama. I'll take with my sin tax revenue and give it to TN instead.

 

[harmenbor]

I hope this isn't true, but the idea makes me so angry that I can't even put together a coherent though right now. I don't mean to offend anyone, but backwoods hillbilly good ol' boy politics and the 'moral compass' types are going to keep Alabama in the dark ages forever. It seems like the fact that Alabama is consistently ranked in the bottom five of just about any ranking ever put together would open people's eyes to the fact that maybe something is being done wrong in this state.

You sure didn't offend me. Matter of fact I wish about 99% of the people of Alabama shared your opinion.

 

[Huff360]

Will ABC drop by your place next?



CALL YOUR SENATOR. CALL THE RULES COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

 

[thood6]

If you haven't heard Rep Rogers talk about his two favorite drinks (from this years House debate) it is well worth it!

Go here -

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_wGs2gDxYwRWW50aVp0U1lSeEU&usp=sharing

Download the one that says Rep John Rogers. Skip to about 4:30

THIS IS NOT EDITED, and it might top Alvin!

Good God

 

[day_trippr]

Yeah, honestly, listening to the full house session live was like entering some weird and decidedly Alternate Reality. Simultaneously some of the most appalling and entertaining speechifying I've ever heard. And I'm an old fart

Cheers!

 

[CGVT]

The Whiskey Speech

[ame]http://youtu.be/qPzUcJcgXUA[/ame]

 

[alestateyall]

The Whiskey Speech

Video Link: http://youtu.be/qPzUcJcgXUA

Leave it to Mississippi to guide Alabama on the righteous path.

 

[MTate37]

Awfully quite today. Anybody got any news?

 

[dawgmatic]

Awfully quite today. Anybody got any news?

They convene Tuesday afternoon so check back tommorow

 

[FTG-05]

Awfully quite today. Anybody got any news?

From our local brew club board:

"Just talked with Mac and he said we should be First on the SOC for the Senate tomorrow. He said he told certain Senators that if they wanted their Bills to get on the House Calendar then they needed to put the Homebrew Bill on the Calendar. Told me not to name names, but it wasn't Orr that was holding us up. Holtzclaw and another Sen on the Rules committee had a disagreement (name starts with a B), but everything has been miraculously worked out now... Said it was nice being head of the rules! Closer than we've ever been. Also said he's ready to attend a legal homebrew meeting!!!! Sounded very, very positive. If for some reason we don't get the vote tomorrow he'll keep on trying..."

So there is a chance we'll get in this year. Here's to hoping!

 

[isleofman]

From our local brew club board:

"Just talked with Mac and he said we should be First on the SOC for the Senate tomorrow. He said he told certain Senators that if they wanted their Bills to get on the House Calendar then they needed to put the Homebrew Bill on the Calendar. Told me not to name names, but it wasn't Orr that was holding us up. Holtzclaw and another Sen on the Rules committee had a disagreement (name starts with a B), but everything has been miraculously worked out now... Said it was nice being head of the rules! Closer than we've ever been. Also said he's ready to attend a legal homebrew meeting!!!! Sounded very, very positive. If for some reason we don't get the vote tomorrow he'll keep on trying..."

So there is a chance we'll get in this year. Here's to hoping!

Hell yes...!! :rockin:

 

[homebrewdad]

From our local brew club board:

"Just talked with Mac and he said we should be First on the SOC for the Senate tomorrow. He said he told certain Senators that if they wanted their Bills to get on the House Calendar then they needed to put the Homebrew Bill on the Calendar. Told me not to name names, but it wasn't Orr that was holding us up. Holtzclaw and another Sen on the Rules committee had a disagreement (name starts with a B), but everything has been miraculously worked out now... Said it was nice being head of the rules! Closer than we've ever been. Also said he's ready to attend a legal homebrew meeting!!!! Sounded very, very positive. If for some reason we don't get the vote tomorrow he'll keep on trying..."

So there is a chance we'll get in this year. Here's to hoping!

Please tell me that this is real!

 

[MTate37]

Maybe I should call in so I can listen at home.

 

[Echoloc8]

Very promising if true. Huff or anyone, any corroboration here?

-Rich

 

[isleofman]

Guessing it came from the Rocket City Brewers' private forum board.

 

[KingRichard]

It's a rumor until it's real. Mac has hung in there with us even though this issue isn't exactly a political gold mine (anything but in fact). Let's hope the rumor is accurate but I'm not getting my hopes up. I plan on calling Senators again tonight and in the morning asking for a vote (and their support). If everyone else does that too, maybe it will actually happen.

 

[Huff360]

Yes, what FTG posted seems to be true. We are being told that we will be #1 on the SOC tomorrow. You know how politics go though!

Also - they are finally telling the whole story that I alluded to previously "Will ABC be at your place next?"

"On Friday, Fairview Homebrew in Montgomery received a letter from ABC that instructed the owner to stop selling homebrewing supplies "until such time as their possession is legalized in this state." This small business has been in operation since opening a year and a half ago, and now it is in risk of being shut down! Please understand, ABC is just doing their jobs per the current law they must enforce. This is why HB9 must pass this year! Without it, jobs are being eliminated and tax-paying small businesses are being downsized or closed. Call your Alabama senator immediately, and urge them to pass HB9 this week, before it is too late!"

This is not a dig at the ABC. They support our bill. The gentleman that dropped the letter off is doing his job. No different that you doing something goofy because someone that works at corporate tells you to! Don't blame the guys on the front lines, TAKE IT TO THE SENATORS! They have the ability to STOP THIS INSANITY tomorrow.

EVERYONE should call first thing in the morning. Take 5 minutes and call all the Rules Committee members, call your Senator, call Sue the Rules Clerk, call your friends and tell them to do it.

Even if the rumor that we are first tomorrow is true, we CAN'T let the pressure off! They can always bring the bill up and then table it just to say they addressed it.

We are "THIS" close!

 

[jhoneycutt]

I wander if the folks in Pelham got a similar letter..

 

[CGVT]

I wonder if Fairview Homebrew got the letter because the drew attention to themselves. It looks as if they were going to do a pretty visable brewing demo

http://www.timlennoxonline.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-alabama-makers-event-almost-got.html?m=1

May 5, 2013

The "Southern Makers" event almost got shut down!
An event in Downtown Montgomery on Saturday was supposed to include a beer brewing exhibit, but the Alabama Alcoholic beverage Control Board threatened to cancel the entire event if homemade beer was part of it.
A story in today's Montgomery Advertiser reports about the Southern Makers event under the train shed without any reference to the ABC incident.


We heard the story that the ABC Board had threatened a raid from EastSouth/Urban Farmer Edwin Marty.
Ironically, that threat came as legislation allowing craft beer in the State is under consideration in the 2013 Legislative Session.
The Makers booth was supposed to sponsored by Fairview Homebrew, a beer and wine brewing operation which somehow managed to stay open despite the lack of legislation allow it. But Marty says the ABC called Thursday of last week and said if would not be permitted.
Watch the Alabama Legislature in the next week or so as their last meeting days come and go. They'll either pass the homebrewing bill, or Alabama will remain the last state with a prohibition against it.
I'm sure you'll agree that all 49 other states are wrong and Alabama is right here. We dare defend our rights to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 1900's.

 

[alestateyall]

What time will the senate meet today?

 

[Huff360]

Yeah, other stores are likely okay. Fairview got their hand slapped because of the Maker's Event.

Weird huh. It's okay as long as you aren't toooo public.

Senate convenes at Noon.


WAFF reported on this morning's news that our bill (along with several others) were dead! Let's hope they aren't right!

 

[CGVT]

Made my calls this morning and solicited as many friends as I could to make calls too.

Get on the phone people!

 

[BarefootFriar]

Nothing showing on ALISON yet; I'm assuming it's because they haven't started. Here's hoping!

 

[MTate37]

So for some absurd reason my work computer security will let me view the senate chamber video on the ALISON site, but will not allow me to listen to the audio on the legislature site. Has anyone ever watched the video? Will the audio kick in once they get started? I have a volume slider, but no noise right now.

EDIT: The sound just kicked in on the video. Yippee!!! This will either prove to be somewhat entertaining and rewarding or totally infuriating.

 

[isleofman]

House Bill 9 is on the calender!

 

[Huff360]

WE ARE #1 on the SOC!!

 

[MTate37]

Looks like we're on the SOC! Hope they get it done.

 

[pentachris]

Woohoo! Looks like we're #1!