MLBA Testifies at House Commerce Informational Hearing Oct 27th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2021
Contact: Leslie Rosedahl, [email protected], 651.353.1818

Minnesota’s Alcohol Retailers Weigh in on House Commerce Committee Proposals

(St. Paul, Minn.) – Today leaders of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) and Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA) testified on behalf of their members at the Minnesota House of Representatives Commerce Committee’s informational hearing pertaining to many alcohol-policy related proposals.

Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Tony Chesak said, “Many of these proposals are unnecessary and controversial. The entire hospitality industry is working hard to recover and find a new normal after mandatory shut-downs last year. The legislature should not impose controversial and industry-wide changes to accommodate very small groups, at the expense of others in the industry. Let’s work together to make positive changes that help everyone, not just a select few.”

Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Executive Director Paul Kaspszak said, “Some of these proposals further tip the playing field in favor of a select handful, at the expense of other industry members. Minnesotans have unprecedented product availability and consumer choice when it comes to alcoholic beverages, which includes a thriving craft brewing industry. In states with different regulations, there are dramatically less product choices for consumers. Also, prices at the point-of-purchase are below the national average and we enjoy significantly lower than average rates of alcohol-related abuse and accidents.”

Minnesota’s hospitality industry has large economic importance to the state. Over 330,000 Minnesota jobs in retail, food service, hospitality, and recreational sectors – about 13 percent of the state’s private nonagricultural employment – have faced unprecedented challenges in the past few years through mandatory shutdowns, and now supply-chain and employment issues.

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The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) represents Minnesota’s independent, family-run liquor retailers, both on-sale (at bars and restaurants) and off-sale (at liquor stores).

The Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA) is the statewide association of municipally owned and operated on-sale and off-sale alcohol beverage facilities.