State questions

There are some interesting things coming down the pike in a couple of the states that have very strict alcohol laws.

Costco is pushing hard to challenge the way that Washington controls its liquor after losing its lawsuit last year. Costco is pushing one initiative for the ballot and a second group has a different initiative as well.

And in Pennsylvania, there is an upcoming bill in their legislative body to privatize liquor and wine sales. Pennsylvania has some of the stricter laws on the books with requirements to buy by the case at stores and wine and spirits only at state stores.

The overall question remains on how much the federal government wants to be involved. There are 50 different sets of laws for 50 states, and the federals have typically been extremely wary of getting in the way of states' laws. So other than the courts, I believe that this will continue to be fought state by state. Wholesalers have also been coming down on different sides depending on the statute being pursued. And as a supplier, we can only watch and hope that things do not become to difficult to sell our products to the consumer.