October 12, 2016

Statehouse Committee Hears From Alcohol Industry Reps

Big Red Liquors CEO Don Rix says he would welcome the opportunity to be part of a "comprehensive approach" to reforming Indiana's alcohol laws. - WFIU-FM

Big Red Liquors CEO Don Rix says he would welcome the opportunity to be part of a "comprehensive approach" to reforming Indiana's alcohol laws.

WFIU-FM

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana lawmakers taking a comprehensive look at the state’s alcohol laws gave industry representatives a chance to weigh in during a Tuesday study committee meeting.

The Public Policy Study Committee’s first meeting covered the history of Indiana’s alcohol laws. The second meeting was more of the same.

“I believe most of it’s about market share,” says Big Red Liquors CEO Don Rix. “It’s not about public policy. I would welcome and appreciate the opportunity to be at a table that addressed a comprehensive approach to how we do this, not single little pieces of this subject.”

Lisa Hutchinson, director of the Indiana Coalition To Reduce Underage Drinking acknowledges there might be some need for reform.

“But please do not sacrifice public health and safety over customer convenience or economic development,” Hutchinson says.

The study committee will meet once more, later this month, as it decides what recommendations to deliver to the full General Assembly.

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