|
DENVER, Colorado: Blake Harrison, a Denver attorney and candidate for the State House, filed an initiative to allow the sale of wine and full-strength beer within grocery stores. The initiative, also known as Initiative 29, was filed this week with the Colorado Legislative Council. A hearing on the proposal is scheduled for December 1st.[1] According to the submitted proposal, grocery and convenience stores would be allowed to set aside 5% of their floor space for beer and wine sales. State law currently only allows the sale of reduced-strength beer. In turn, liquor stores would be able to designate 5% of their shelf space for food sales, which are currently not allowed.[2]
In the past couple of years, two similar bills have been shot down. In 2008, a legislative proposal died in committee after a 5-1 Senate Finance Committee vote. The measure was opposed by liquor-store owners who argued the bill would severely impact their businesses. In 2008, however, the general assembly passed a law to allow Sunday liquor sales. In 2009, Rep. Liane "Buffie" McFayden attempted to pass a similar bill but it was defeated in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee.[3]
BOSTON, Massachusetts: The House approved a bill on November 10, 2009 that extends simulcasting at the state’s two dog racing tracks until July 31, 2010. The Wonderland Greyhound Park had stopped racing after Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question in 2008 to ban such events. The park is to cease racing on December 31, 2009, and the state's other dog park, The Raynham Park, is supposed to stop races the next day.[4]
If the Senate approves of the bill, both parks would be converted into off-track betting venues for the first half of the 2010. Only bets on races elsewhere in the country would take place at the parks.
|
