Subject: Update 6-14-08

Subject: Update 6-14-08
Hello Everyone -

Just wanted to give you a flavor on whats going on in the country with Alcohol, Food, Labor/Wage and Smoking. Here is a newsbrief from Kenn Rockler of the Tavern League of Minnesota. It's been reported that the Democratic Convention in Denver is having problems raising money....look at the article below (Food) regarding their convention....no wonder! I am not against being healthy however, I can take care of my own health...thank-you very much!!

Sheila


NEWS BRIEF – WEEK OF JUNE 9, 2008
ALCOHOL

New Jersey Considers Low-BAC First Offender Ignition Interlock Bill
A New Jersey State Senator has introduced legislation that would require low-BAC first time DUI offenders to install interlocks on their vehicles. (PolitickerNJ) The legislation, known as “Ricci’s Law,” is named after a 17-year-old New Jersey boy killed by a drunk driver. Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the bill’s sponsors point to his death as a justification for mandating low-BAC first offender interlocks, but the drunk driver who killed Ricci was a repeat offender and had a BAC level four times the legal limit. (The Daily Record, NJ)

Wisconsin Lawmakers Push for High-BAC Ignition Interlock Law
High-BAC drivers, those with .16% BAC or more in their systems, would face a new punishment in Wisconsin under the terms of proposed legislation. Several lawmakers recently indicated their interest in using ignition interlocks to keep dangerous drunk drivers off the roads. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI) Many states use interlocks as a deterrent for repeat offenders and high-BAC drivers because they cause the vast majority of alcohol-related road deaths.


FOOD
The Democratic National Convention is being run by the food police.From the “I couldn’t make this stuff up” department and Tuesday’s WSJ Opinion Journal:“Democrats have laid down the environmental law for their Denver presidential convention this August.“The convention organizing committee is going green to such an extent that any liquid served in an individual plastic container will be banned at all 22 events hosted by the convention. Also banned will be fried foods. Any plates must be reusable or compostable. Catered meals will be expected to follow a strict color code. Such meals must not only be locally or organically grown, but consist of at least three of the following five colors -- red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white. (Oranges and carrots would appear to be have lost out.)“‘Blue could be a challenge,’ Ed Janos, owner of the local Cook's Fresh Market, told the Denver Post. ‘All I can think of are blueberries.’ Nick Agro, owner of Whirled Peas Catering, is worried. ‘I question the feasibility,’ he says, noting that the growing season in Colorado is short and that using ‘organic stuff pretty much doubles your price.’“Then there are ethical dilemmas. Compostable products, such as forks and knives made from cornstarch, usually are imported from Asia on massive, fuel-consuming freighters. Are they a better environmental choice than recyclable plates?”


Court may Suspend NYC Calorie Count Law until Final Ruling
A federal appeals court considering a challenge to the New York City menu labeling ordinance from the New York State Restaurant Association may suspend the city’s power to enforce the law until a final decision is reached by the court. (The Daily Record, NJ) The city has been issuing citations for non-compliance but said it wouldn’t fine offenders until July 18. At least one judge on the panel considering the suit is reluctant to allow the fines in the event that the court rules in favor of the restaurants.
LABOR/WAGE

Delaware Minimum Wage Bill Ready for House Vote
A bill to raise Delaware’s minimum wage to $7.75 on March 1, 2009 and again to $8.25 in 2010 has been approved by the House Labor Committee. The bill has already passed the Senate and is now ready for a final vote in the House. The House is Republican-controlled and businesses have already been lobbying against the bill. (The News Journal, DE)

Rhode Island Senate Passes Indexing Bill
The state Senate passed by a 32-0 vote a bill to index Rhode Island’s minimum wage (by automatic yearly increases of 3% to keep with inflation). (Providence Journal, RI) The bill would be effective on January 1, 2009. Gov. Carcieri (R) has acknowledged that the increase could hurt small businesses in the state. (Boston Globe) Rhode Island already has one of the highest minimum wages at $7.40. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
SMOKING

Pennsylvania Senate Approves Compromise Smoking Ban Bill
On Tuesday, the state Senate passed a statewide smoking ban bill – revised earlier this week to include the compromise language allowing Scranton and Allegheny County to enact their own stricter ordinances. (The Morning Call, PA) The bill bans smoking in all public indoor facilities except bars (with less than 20% of their annual revenue in food sales), private clubs and casinos, cigar bars, and tobacco shops. (Philadelphia Business Journal) Gov. Ed Rendell (D) is expected to sign the bill, which will then go into effect in 90 days. (My Fox Philadelphia)

Ohio Supreme Court Does Not Allow Additional Exemptions to State Smoking Ban
In a 4-3 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court has rejected Gov. Ted Strickland’s attempt to exempt veterans’ halls and other member-only clubs from the state smoking ban. The law – which went into effect in May 2007 – bans smoking in restaurants, bars, and nearly all other public buildings. (Columbus Dispatch, OH)

Loophole in Iowa Smoking Ban Exempts Outdoor Bar Seating
Review by the state legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee, determined that the statewide smoking ban covers outdoor seating areas at restaurants, but not bars. Bars are considered to be businesses that do not have a food preparation facility, but can still serve snacks that are “incidental to the consumption of alcoholic beverages”. (The Hawk Eye, IA) The law goes into effect on July 1.
Kenn Rockler, Executive DirectorBowling Proprietors Association of MN & The Tavern League of Minnesota235 Roselawn Avenue East Suite #17Maplewood, MN 55117On the web www.bpam.org or www.tavernleaguemn.orgBPAM Phone: 651-487-2141 or 1-800-622-7769Tavern League of Minnesota 651-487-2149 or 1-877-332-9257 Cell phone: 612-205-0110