Let’s hope there’s a good turnout!

@ Mike – wow, an out-of-stater buying from PA? Harrisburg would be delighted to hear that.

@ Tone – yes, it would be great if the bill got a vocal champion in the legislature!

Thanks for the response! I agree that it should be easier (and likely cheaper) to affect change through the legislative process. I was merely wondering if anyone had information regarding alternative routes of reform.

Hopefully MD legislators are finally responsive to the will of the people!

- Jack

2. Iowa got out of the high control business about 20 years ago and as a conservative state it had very, very few problems. If Iowa can do this, then Maryland should be able to do so.

3. Pick a few legislative districts and make a real strong push to get a legislator to sign a pledge to support the effort. Then if that works, start going after others. The snowball effect will scare some more to break their position.

I buy from PA, VA, and DC and other states while on holiday.

Maybe others can do the same too?

Why should our tax dollars and votes go to support politicians who do not heed the wishes of the citizens?

There is no conventional court challenge to be had in Maryland. Maryland’s approach to direct shipping does not discriminate—which has been the criteria for court challenges to this point. Maryland’s direct shipping laws treat in-state and out-of-state entities the same.

The answer is simply to change the law. And frankly, I think this is probably the easier and least expensive and time consuming route.

What needs to happen is to have consumers write and visit their lawmakers regularly. This is why if I were in charge of the effort in Maryland, I would be organizing trips to Annapolis by consumers on a monthly basis to put them in front of legislators to tell them what they want, why they want it and when they want it and what the consequences would be if they don’t get it.

Pressure needs to be applied.

Best,
Tom…

I’m not sure about the legal route to reform. Given that MBBWL just lost their executive director, perhaps Tom Wark could let us know about feasibility of a court challenge?

I imagine it is cost-prohibitive. It’s hard to get consumers to rally to the cause.

I have to ask this question: has anyone challenged Maryland’s current law as unconstitutional under the commerce clause?

Based on what I’ve read here, it seems readily apparent to me (a 3rd year law student) that this law impedes the free flow of commerce between the states.

I confess that I haven’t read the law itself, nor have I researched beyond what you’ve posted here. But it still seems like a court challenge, while expensive and time-consuming, might be a better path at this point than seeking legislative relief.

http://bit.ly/9YMWvO

The enthusiasm is unparalleled, though. Hats off to MBBWL.

Second against the wall come the revolution: the liquor lobby.