Brookings Banter

Brookings needs liquor licenses for restaurants.  I haven't heard anybody in town disagree with this statement.  Even those who are dead set against liquor consumption realize that in today's world restaurants will not come to Brookings without the availability of liquor licenses.

Today's Argus Leader contains several good articles focusing around the subject of local control of liquor licenses and contains the following passage in the article on local control.  "Yet those who want the system changed are up against one of the most powerful lobbying and political forces in the state. The Licensed Beverage Dealers watches the group's interests and sponsors an annual "hog roast" for lawmakers."  This group is all about protectionism.  I feel alcohol consumption is on the decline.   The decrease in the blood alcohol level required to be charged with DUI, strict enforcement, along with healthier lifestyles have lead to the decline. This lobbying group knows the pie is getting smaller and wants the government to protect their profits.   The Licensed Beverage Dealers are well financed and treat our legislators to a hog roast and PAC money.  Brookings legislators are on board with proposed local control legislation.  But it is time for those state officials who are "consuming themselves" at lavish feeds to represent the people instead of a group of communist businessmen that think they should not have to operate in the free market.