What’s it cost to get a self-serving Bill introduced into the Michigan legislature? Apparently a mere $12,000. That’s how much Michigan State representative Chris Ward (R) received from the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Associations gave to Ward during his last election campaign. And it turns out that this was the largest contribution to a single Michigan legislator made by the wholesalers. And what did they get? Ward is the chief sponsor of a bill completely outlawing all forms of…

WHOLESALERS USING BOGUS FIGURES TO PUSH NOTION THAT MINORS ARE ORDERING ALCOHOL OFF THE INTERNET EN MASS –No Studies Have Ever Been Published That Address Minors, Alcohol and the Internet The politics of direct shipping have more to do with money profits and commerce than anything else. However, the debate over direct shipping has centered on the potential for the minors to get alcohol via the Internet. So much so has this issue been centered around minors that any state…

The battle for wine between the monopolist wholesalers and small wineries has begun in Michigan where the the beer and whine wholesalers and Michigan Liquor control commission, along with fake public policy groups like "Coalition for a safe and responsible Michigan" are using their money and the influence they’ve bought in the legislature to take on about 40 Michigan wineries in a bid to assure all profits stay with the wholesalers. The first volley in the battle was a poll…

Competing wine shipping bills are set to be introduced into the Michigan legislature, the first battle ground in the post-Supreme Court Decision direct shipping controversy. Wholesalers will seek to introduce a bill outlawing all shipping whether from Michigan wineries or out of state wineries. Michigan wineries are seeking support for a Bill that would allow direct shipment to consumers from in or out of state wineries. The Michigan Governor has voiced support for a direct shipping bill allowing shipment to…

It is hard to ignore the movement across the country favoring the legalization of the direct shipment of wine. While the Supreme Court decision really didn’t clarify a great deal, it did spur many to act. It looks as though a number of states are now or will be allowing direct shipment of wine including Texas, New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire AND Michigan. -That’s right, Michigan I believe will fall into the direct wine shipment column. I’ve talked to…