Money is starting to flow as Oklahoma looks at changing its liquor laws.
Groups tied to the state's alcohol industry contributed nearly $70,000 to candidates and legislators in the first quarter.
State Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward, received a combined $1,750 from the Beer Distributors of Oklahoma PAC and the Oklahoma Beverage Employees PAC, The Journal Record’s Molly Fleming reports:
By comparison, BDO PAC this quarter contributed $1,500 to state Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and previously gave $500 to state Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City in the 2015 fourth quarter. BDO President Brett Robinson said Marlatt has a lot of interests. “He has a lot of broad support from a lot of different industries,” he said. “He’s a conscientious and well-informed legislator that likes to dig into issues.” Marlatt has voted in favor of [Senate Bill] 383 and [Senate Joint Resolution] 68. But Robinson said the contribution is not given in hope of a yes vote on measures supported by BDO. “I don’t use the donation as a guide,” he said. “We’ve supported people who vote against our interests all the time.”
SJR 68, which is in conference committee, would allow voters to make constitutional changes that would allow sales of full-strength, cold beer in more places, and expand sales of wine and liquor.
From Fleming:
Retail spirits licenses would be for stores that focus on alcohol sales. They would allow sales of spirits in original sealed packages, along with cold wine and beer. They could also begin to sell items such as soda, ice and mixers, which could not make up more than 20 percent of monthly sales. A retail beer license would allow sales of refrigerated or non-refrigerated beer in its original package. A retail wine license has similar provisions. None of the new licenses contain limitations on the number of retail locations. Issues such as taxation and hours of sale will be addressed by the Legislature, the resolution states.
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