alcohol

Republicans and Democrats spent weeks battling over ways to fill Oklahoma’s budget shortfall. The two parties have found little common ground on tax revenue, but they have been able to agree on some items that could make it easier to toast legislative achievements, or drown their sorrows following a bill’s defeat.

As KGOU and KOSU began crafting ideas for our collaborative election project Oklahoma Engaged, we were interested in several forms of storytelling. This included informative and in-depth radio stories and video profiles of folks in a south Oklahoma City district.

A court decision earlier this week might keep the state from revoking thousands of driver’s licenses.

Monday's ruling means the outcome of a breathalyzer test that leads to criminal charges can't be used to take away someone's driving privileges, The Journal Record’s Dale Denwalt reports:

Supporters of a state question to update Oklahoma’s alcohol laws and allow wine and strong beer in grocery and convenience stores rolled out their campaign this week.

Supporters of a state question that would change Oklahoma’s alcohol laws launched their campaign today Wednesday. The group Yes On 792 is advocating on behalf of a ballot question that would allow convenience stores to sell full strength beer and wine. Liquor stores would be able to sell cold beer.

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber president Roy Williams says alcohol reform would help the state attract and retain young talent.

The manager of The Pump Bar near the Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City was recently arrested for infusing the bar's liquors with other flavors, including bacon, jalapeños, and garlic.

Updated June 27, 11:59 a.m.

According to documents provided by the Oklahoma City Police Department, the municipal code violation that triggered the arrest was Article 5, Section 30-97 as defined in Section 30-96: Maintaining a disorderly house by violation of the state's prohibition laws by the unlawful refill of a liquor bottle.

The referenced state law is found in Title 37, Chapter 3, Section 584:

§37-584.  Refilling container with certain substances prohibited.

No holder of a mixed beverage, beer and wine, caterer, special event, public event or airline/railroad beverage license shall refill with any substance a container which contained any alcoholic beverage on which the tax levied by Section 553 of this title has been paid.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 6, § 98, emerg. eff. March 14, 1985.  Amended by Laws 1994, c. 361, § 23; Laws 2014, c. 298, § 23.

 
Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Gary Knight told The Journal Record that the opened bottles contained bacon, vegetables and pickle juice.

Oklahomans will have a chance to vote on expanding the state’s liquor laws this November.

State representatives approved Senate Joint Resolution 68 and its counterpart Senate Bill 383 on Thursday. The bill provides a new outline allowing full-strength, chilled beer to be sold in grocery and convenience stores and would require clerks who sell alcohol to be at least 18-years-old should voters approve a state question this fall.

The state is a step closer to changing its alcohol laws after the Senate approved a joint resolution that would allow voters to decide if grocery and convenience stores can sell wine and strong beer.

On a 30-14 vote, the chamber sent Senate Joint Resolution 68 to the House for consideration.

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:

The Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidated an initiative petition Tuesday morning that would’ve let voters decide whether or not to allow wine and strong beer in grocery stores.

The Oklahoma Grocers Association filed its protest against the petition that would’ve put State Question 785 on the ballot this fall, arguing it was an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority, and that the language was insufficient and misleading.