Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers

Big Box Liquor Bill Hearing Today

Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

PUBLIC HEARING ON HB 2282 – House Commerce Committee

Tuesday, February 14, Luncheon and Hearing (for opponents)

Hearings will be in Room 112-N from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol

Retailer and Legislators Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. 1st Floor, North Wing

Let’s have a great turnout to show legislators that Kansas small businesses do care about this issue! Bring your families, employees, vendors, and friends. The Committee has new members this year, who are not familiar with this legislation and the amount of public interest. A big turnout sends a strong message.

BE THERE! More information at this link RSVP for the Legislative Lunch and Hearing.

***********************************************

Long time members of KABR know – the key to winning this issue is one on one relationships with your legislators. It takes more than a 2 minute conversation to explain the complex concerns of retail liquor store owners. As they get to know you and learn about your business, they are better able to understand the harmful effects of Uncork legislation. As you develop an honest supportive relationship with your representative and senator, you are also more likely to receive information from them about the happenings at the Legislature. If you do not know them already, reach out now to introduce yourself and to begin a conversation about why you hope they will support Kansas small businesses and oppose Uncork. If they are local, request a meeting.

Reach out to the members of the House Commerce Committee and your legislators now (see information below if you need help). Face to face meetings are extremely valuable – either at the Statehouse in Topeka or while they are home on the weekends. Emails and phone calls are also effective. It is very important that our members get active now on this issue, or we will find ourselves behind the ball once a public hearing is finally scheduled.

Find your state senator and state representative at https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ by entering your address information. Contact information for all legislators is available at www.kslegislature.org.

Information for the House Commerce Committee is below:

Office	Fullname	Party	Office#	OfficePhone	Email	HomeCity
Chair	Les Mason	Republican	521-E	785-296-7640	les.mason@house.ks.gov	McPherson
Vice Chair	Ken Corbet	Republlican	179-N	785 296-7679	ken.corbet@house.ks.gov	Topeka
Ranking Minority	Brandon Whipple	Democrat	452-S	785 296-7366	brandon.whipple@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Dave Baker	Republican	167-W	785 296-6997	dave.baker@house.ks.gov	Council Grove
Representative	John Carmichael	Democrat	451-S	785-296-7650	john.carmichael@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	J. R. Claeys	Republican	274-W	785 296-7670	jrclaeys@house.ks.gov	Salina
Representative	Stephanie Clayton	Republican	512-N	785 296-7548	stephanie.clayton@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Erin Davis	Republican	151-S	785-296-7658	erin.davis@house.ks.gov	Olathe
Representative	Roger Elliott	Republican	168-W	785 296-7476	Roger.Elliott@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Jan Kessinger	Republican	268-W	785 296-7436	Jan.Kessinger@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Tom Phillips	Republican	512-N	785 296-7402	tom.phillips@house.ks.gov	Manhattan
Representative	Bradley Ralph	Republican	512-N	785 296-7501	Brad.Ralph@house.ks.gov	Dodge City
Representative	Louis Ruiz	Democrat	47-S	785 296-7885	louis.ruiz@house.ks.gov	Kansas City
Representative	Joe Seiwert	Republican	481-W	785 296-7647	joe.seiwert@house.ks.gov	Pretty Prairie
Representative	Jerry Stogsdill	Democrat	452-S	785 296-7692	Jerry.Stogsdill@house.ks.gov	Prairie Village
Representative	Sean Tarwater	Republican	268-W	785 296-7685	Sean.Tarwater@house.ks.gov	Stilwell
Representative	Patsy Terrell	Democrat	174-W	785 296-7645	Patsy.Terrell@house.ks.gov	Hutchinson

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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Big Box Liquor Hearings Next Monday and Tuesday

Saturday, February 11, 2017 1:15 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

HB 2282 will have a public hearing in the House Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Committee next Monday and Tuesday. Proponents will testify Monday, February 13 and Opponents will testify Tuesday, February 14. The hearings will be in room 112-N at 1:30 p.m. The legislation would allow Big Box and Convenience Stores to sell strong beer and wine under a newly created Wine and Beer Retailers License. Read the bill here.

Please plan to come to Topeka to show your opposition to Big Box Liquor! RSVP for lunch in the Capitol on Tuesday prior to the hearing.

RSVP for the Hearings on HB 2282 and Luncheon by clicking here.

Click Here for HB 2282 Talking Points

***********************************************

Long time members of KABR know – the key to winning this issue is one on one relationships with your legislators. Talk to your senator and representative now. It takes more than a 2 minute conversation to explain the complex concerns of retail liquor store owners. As they get to know you and learn about your business, they are better able to understand the harmful effects of Uncork legislation. As you develop an honest supportive relationship with your representative and senator, you are also more likely to receive information from them about the happenings at the Legislature. If you do not know them already, reach out now to introduce yourself and to begin a conversation about why you hope they will support Kansas small businesses and oppose Uncork. If they are local, request a meeting.

Reach out to the members of the House Commerce Committee and your legislators now (see information below if you need help). Face to face meetings are extremely valuable – either at the Statehouse in Topeka or while they are home on the weekends. Emails and phone calls are also effective. It is very important that our members get active now on this issue, or we will find ourselves behind the ball once a public hearing is finally scheduled.

Find your state senator and state representative at https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ by entering your address information. Contact information for all legislators is available at www.kslegislature.org.

Information for the House Commerce Committee is below:

Office	Fullname	Officenum	Offph	Email	Hmphyscity	Party	County	District
Chair	Les Mason	521-E	785-296-7640	les.mason@house.ks.gov	McPherson	Republican	McPherson	73
Vice Chair	Ken Corbet	179-N	785 296-7679	ken.corbet@house.ks.gov	Topeka	Republican	Shawnee	54
Ranking Minority Mbr	Brandon Whipple	452-S	785 296-7366	brandon.whipple@house.ks.gov	Wichita	Democrat	Sedgwick	96
Representative	Dave Baker	167-W	785 296-6997	dave.baker@house.ks.gov	Council Grove	Republican	Morris	68
Representative	John Carmichael	451-S	785-296-7650	john.carmichael@house.ks.gov	Wichita	Democrat	Sedgwick	92
Representative	J. R. Claeys	274-W	785 296-7670	jrclaeys@house.ks.gov	Salina	Republican	Saline	69
Representative	Stephanie Clayton	512-N	785 296-7548	stephanieclayton@house.ks.gov	Overland Park	Republican	Johnson	19
Representative	Erin Davis	151-S	785-296-7658	erin.davis@house.ks.gov	Olathe	Republican	Johnson	15
Representative	Roger Elliott	168-W	785 296-7476	Roger.Elliott@house.ks.gov	Wichita	Republican	Sedgwick	87
Representative	Jan Kessinger	268-W	785 296-7436	Jan.Kessinger@house.ks.gov	Overland Park	Republican	Johnson	20
Representative	Tom Phillips	512-N	785 296-7402	tom.phillips@house.ks.gov	Manhattan	Republican	Riley	67
Representative	Bradley Ralph	512-N	785 296-7501	Brad.Ralph@house.ks.gov	Dodge City	Republican	Ford	119
Representative	Louis Ruiz	47-S	785 296-7885	louis.ruiz@house.ks.gov	Kansas City	Democrat	Wyandotte	31
Representative	Joe Seiwert	481-W	785 296-7647	joe.seiwert@house.ks.gov	Pretty Prairie	Republican	Reno	101
Representative	Jerry Stogsdill	452-S	785 296-7692	Jerry.Stogsdill@house.ks.gov	Prairie Village	Democrat	Johnson	21
Representative	Sean Tarwater	268-W	785 296-7685	Sean.Tarwater@house.ks.gov	Stilwell	Republican	Johnson	27
Representative	Patsy Terrell	174-W	785 296-7645	Patsy.Terrell@house.ks.gov	Hutchinson	Democrat	Reno	102

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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News from Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma

Friday, February 10, 2017 3:57 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Lawsuit Calls New Oklahoma Liquor Amendment Unconstitutional

In the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's, liquor stores like Byron's Liquor Warehouse, are packed. It's a marathon holiday season. "A lot of sweat, a lot of elbow grease but we make it through every year," Byron's General Manager Blake Cody said on Wednesday. "It's quite a bit, we do several, probably about a million dollars if not more. We have a lot of product coming in and out in the month of December," he continued.

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Today, Senate Delays Tax and Budget Debate

Thursday, February 09, 2017 8:44 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Today, the Kansas Senate had cleared the committees calendar in order to debate the FY 17 Rescission Budget Bill, Taxes, and the Pooled Money Investment Board (PMIB). However, that debate was delayed after Republicans held a caucus this morning and apparently decided there was not consensus to move forward today.

Senators were scheduled to work all day on the Senate Floor and now have a free day on their hands. Many will go home for the weekend with Friday a pro-forma day. We expected to see many amendments proposed and debated to hash out a Senate position for closing out the current fiscal year which ends June 30 and faces a deficit of around $350 million.

The bills to be debated are below along with links to the bill descriptions.

SB 155 - State finances; requiring the KPERS board to liquidate the pooled money investment portfolio investment pursuant to K.SA. 2016 Supp. 75-2263; transferring money to the state general fund ... The Governor recommended liquidating $317 million of the fund's investments to borrow for current year funding shortfalls. The Senate committee recommended borrowing $100 million.

SB 147 - Kansas income tax act;providing rate changes and determination of Kansas adjusted gross income andsunsetting certain modifications. This bill eliminates the LLC exemption and increases income tax rates. We expect to see many amendments proposing any imaginable combination of tax policies. See bill explanation.

SB 27 - Budget Rescission Legislation for adjustments to FY 17; reduces K-12 by 5% or $128 million, Regents by $23 million, and varying agency budgets by $3 million.

See bill explanation document.

The Senate will reconvene Friday at 8:00 a.m. pro-forma - meaning there will won't be any general orders or votes.

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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Event Announcement: Public Hearing on HB 2282 & Legislative Luncheon

Wednesday, February 08, 2017 3:22 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Upcoming event information:
Public Hearing on HB 2282 & Legislative Luncheon Kansas Statehouse - 11:30 am Feb 14 Lunch / 1:30 pm Hearings Feb 13-14 Room 112-N
Date: 13 Feb 2017 1:30 PM EST

PUBLIC HEARING ON HB 2282 – House Commerce Committee

Monday, February 13, (for proponents)

Tuesday, February 14, Luncheon and Hearing (for opponents)

Hearings will be in Room 112-N from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the State Capitol

Tuesday Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. 1st Floor, North Wing

Let’s have a great turnout to show legislators that Kansas small businesses do care about this issue! Bring your families, employees, vendors, and friends. The Committee has new members this year, who are not familiar with this legislation and the amount of public interest. A big turnout sends a strong message.

BE THERE! RSVP for the Legislative Lunch and Hearing.

KABR will host a luncheon Tuesday, February 14 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Statehouse on the 1st floor north wing outside the committee room. Lunch will be followed by the hearing at 1:30 p.m. in Room 112-N. Luncheon sponsored by KABR and Kansas Association for Responsible Liquor Laws.

All attendees should schedule an appointment to meet with their legislators to make the most of their trip. You need to call them now to get on their appointment schedule - do not wait. Let us know what you learn. See instructions below.

Contact Amy to submit written testimony and if you know law enforcement or other community members who will provide supportive testimony - Email Amy. Testimony is due on Monday, so we will need to receive it by Sunday afternoon to make copies.

Find the name of your State Senator and State Representative at www.openstates.org by entering your home address and then your store address. You may have different legislators for each location. The Statehouse Legislative Hotline can help to connect you by phone - 1-800-432-3924.

Click here for contact information for members of the House Commerce Committee. Please send them an email to OPPOSE HB 2282.

KABR is working with our partners, including Keep Kansans in Business, the Kansas Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Association and the Kansas Association for Responsible Liquor Laws to effectively present our case within the time limitations. To submit written testimony – email it to KABR at campbell525@sbcglobal.net by Sunday, February 11. Your written statement should include your name, store or business name, address and phone/email contact information. Round up your small business partners – banker, insurance rep, attorney, accountant, etc., to submit written testimony as well. We will make sure that the copies are made and delivered to the committee secretary 24 hours in advance of the hearing

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617

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HB 2282 Big Box Liquor Hearing Next Monday and Tuesday

Tuesday, February 07, 2017 8:28 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

HB 2282 will have a public hearing in the House Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Committee next Monday and Tuesday. Proponents will testify Monday, February 13 and Opponents will testify Tuesday, February 14. The legislation would allow Big Box and Convenience Stores to sell strong beer and wine under a newly created Wine and Beer Retailers License. Read the bill here.

Please plan to come to Topeka to show your opposition! Hearings will most likely start at 1:30 p.m. and end around 3:00 p.m. We are hoping to provide lunch in the Capitol on Tuesday if we can secure the space.

KABR will send more detailed information and an RSVP email very soon.

***********************************************

Long time members of KABR know – the key to winning this issue is one on one relationships with your legislators. It takes more than a 2 minute conversation to explain the complex concerns of retail liquor store owners. As they get to know you and learn about your business, they are better able to understand the harmful effects of Uncork legislation. As you develop an honest supportive relationship with your representative and senator, you are also more likely to receive information from them about the happenings at the Legislature. If you do not know them already, reach out now to introduce yourself and to begin a conversation about why you hope they will support Kansas small businesses and oppose Uncork. If they are local, request a meeting.

Reach out to the members of the House Commerce Committee and your legislators now (see information below if you need help). Face to face meetings are extremely valuable – either at the Statehouse in Topeka or while they are home on the weekends. Emails and phone calls are also effective. It is very important that our members get active now on this issue, or we will find ourselves behind the ball once a public hearing is finally scheduled.

Find your state senator and state representative at https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ by entering your address information. Contact information for all legislators is available at wwwkslegislature.org.

Information for the House Commerce Committee is below:

Office	Fullname	Party	Office#	OfficePhone	Email	HomeCity
Chair	Les Mason	Republican	521-E	785-296-7640	les.mason@house.ks.gov	McPherson
Vice Chair	Ken Corbet	Democrat	179-N	785 296-7679	ken.corbet@house.ks.gov	Topeka
Ranking Minority	Brandon Whipple	Republican	452-S	785 296-7366	brandon.whipple@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Dave Baker	Republican	167-W	785 296-6997	dave.baker@house.ks.gov	Council Grove
Representative	John Carmichael	Republican	451-S	785-296-7650	john.carmichael@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	J. R. Claeys	Republican	274-W	785 296-7670	jrclaeys@house.ks.gov	Salina
Representative	Stephanie Clayton	Republican	512-N	785 296-7548	stephanie.clayton@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Erin Davis	Republican	151-S	785-296-7658	erin.davis@house.ks.gov	Olathe
Representative	Roger Elliott	Republican	168-W	785 296-7476	Roger.Elliott@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Jan Kessinger	Republican	268-W	785 296-7436	Jan.Kessinger@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Tom Phillips	Republican	512-N	785 296-7402	tom.phillips@house.ks.gov	Manhattan
Representative	Bradley Ralph	Democrat	512-N	785 296-7501	Brad.Ralph@houseks.gov	Dodge City
Representative	Louis Ruiz	Republican	47-S	785 296-7885	louis.ruiz@house.ks.gov	Kansas City
Representative	Joe Seiwert	Democrat	481-W	785 296-7647	joe.seiwert@house.ks.gov	Pretty Prairie
Representative	Jerry Stogsdill	Democrat	452-S	785 296-7692	Jerry.Stogsdill@house.ks.gov	Prairie Village
Representative	Sean Tarwater	Party	268-W	785 296-7685	Sean.Tarwater@house.ks.gov	Stilwell
Representative	Patsy Terrell	Republican	174-W	785 296-7645	Patsy.Terrell@house.ks.gov	Hutchinson

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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Uncork Bill Released Today

Monday, February 06, 2017 4:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

HB 2282 Would Allow Beer and Wine in Big Box and Convenience Stores

The beer and wine legislation introduced on January 12 in the House Commerce Committee has finally been published. The bill would allow Big Box and Convenience Stores to sell strong beer and wine under a newly created Wine and Beer Retailers License Read the bill here.

A Wine and Beer Retailer could sell any other goods and services on the licensed premises. A Liquor Retailer could sell other goods or services on the licensed premises, exceptthat the gross sales of other goods and services shall not exceed 20% of theretailer's total gross sales.

The bill includes provisions to transfer 3% of enforcement taxes to a local cereal malt beverage sales tax fund. Those funds would be distributed to cities and counties based on a population weighting formula to theoretically make up for sales tax revenues that cities and counties would lose when there are fewer sales of cereal malt beverage products.

There are no provisions for an extended transition period or purchasing existing retailer licenses. There are no limitations on the number or location of new licenses.

Long time members of KABR know – the key to winning this issue is one on one relationships with your legislators. It takes more than a 2 minute conversation to explain the complex concerns of retail liquor store owners. As they get to know you and learn about your business, they are better able to understand the harmful effects of Uncork legislation. As you develop an honest supportive relationship with your representative and senator, you are also more likely to receive information from them about the happenings at the Legislature. If you do not know them already, reach out now to introduce yourself and to begin a conversation about why you hope they will support Kansas small businesses and oppose Uncork. If they are local, request a meeting.

Reach out to the members of the House Commerce Committee and your legislators now (see information below if you need help). Face to face meetings are extremely valuable – either at the Statehouse in Topeka or while they are home on the weekends. Emails and phone calls are also effective. It is very important that our members get active now on this issue, or we will find ourselves behind the ball once a public hearing is finally scheduled.

Find your state senator and state representative at https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ by entering your address information. Contact information for all legislators is available at www.kslegislature.org.

Information for the House Commerce Committee is below:

Office	Fullname	Party	Office#	OfficePhone	Email	HomeCity
Chair	Les Mason	Republican	521-E	785-296-7640	les.mason@house.ks.gov	McPherson
Vice Chair	Ken Corbet	Democrat	179-N	785 296-7679	ken.corbet@house.ks.gov	Topeka
Ranking Minority	Brandon Whipple	Republican	452-S	785 296-7366	brandon.whipple@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Dave Baker	Republican	167-W	785 296-6997	dave.baker@house.ks.gov	Council Grove
Representative	John Carmichael	Republican	451-S	785-296-7650	john.carmichael@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	J. R. Claeys	Republican	274-W	785 296-7670	jrclaeys@house.ks.gov	Salina
Representative	Stephanie Clayton	Republican	512-N	785 296-7548	stephanie.clayton@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Erin Davis	Republican	151-S	785-296-7658	erin.davis@house.ks.gov	Olathe
Representative	Roger Elliott	Republican	168-W	785 296-7476	Roger.Elliott@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Jan Kessinger	Republican	268-W	785 296-7436	Jan.Kessinger@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Tom Phillips	Republican	512-N	785 296-7402	tom.phillips@house.ks.gov	Manhattan
Representative	Bradley Ralph	Democrat	512-N	785 296-7501	BradRalph@house.ks.gov	Dodge City
Representative	Louis Ruiz	Republican	47-S	785 296-7885	louis.ruiz@house.ks.gov	Kansas City
Representative	Joe Seiwert	Democrat	481-W	785 296-7647	joe.seiwert@house.ks.gov	Pretty Prairie
Representative	Jerry Stogsdill	Democrat	452-S	785 296-7692	Jerry.Stogsdill@house.ks.gov	Prairie Village
Representative	Sean Tarwater	Party	268-W	785 296-7685	Sean.Tarwater@house.ks.gov	Stilwell
Representative	Patsy Terrell	Republican	174-W	785 296-7645	Patsy.Terrell@house.ks.gov	Hutchinson

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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Uncork Bill Introduced; Hearings on Enforcement Tax

Friday, February 03, 2017 7:34 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Uncork Introduces Bill in Senate Commerce Committee

While the beer and wine legislation introduced on January 12 in the House Commerce Committee has still not been published, an Uncork bill was introduced in the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday, February 2nd. Perhaps we should not be surprised that the Senate Bill has not yet been published either.

Interestingly, there were two "no" votes to the request for introduction. While bill introductions are typically unanimously adopted, Senator Rob Olson and Senator Molly Baumgardner were heard to say "no" to the introduction in the Senate Commerce meeting.

We still don't know anything about the bill's contents, although media reports seem to indicate that these are strong beer and wine bills - with none of the license purchasing provisions or limitations on numbers or locations of licenses. With the Senate introduction, we will be facing both a Senate Uncork Bill and a House Uncork Bill.

Legislators are asking about CMB, and whether or not the product will be going away. Manufacturers, including Anheuser-Busch and Coors-Miller have stated that CMB is not going away, but grocery and convenience stores are complaining that they will lose their variety once Oklahoma and Colorado implement planned changes in 2018. See members of the Senate Commerce Committee at the bottom of this message.

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House Taxation Committee Holds Informational Hearings on Liquor Tax, Tobacco Tax and Motor Fuels Tax Increases

After two days of informational hearings on the Governor's proposals to raise tobacco taxes, liquor enforcement tax, and motor fuels tax, it seems the House Taxation Committee will be moving forward with a different plan. The hearing was very well attended and committee members seemed interested in the multiple layers of taxation paid on liquor products. They were receptive to the concerns about competition across the Missouri border, where liquor taxes only include a gallonage and a sales tax. Rep. Ken Corbet (R-Topeka) commented, We seem to forget that money has legs, and that business can just walk across the border to avoid these taxes - and that kills our small businesses.

Next week, the House Taxation Committee will hold a public hearing on a proposal to expand the income tax categories to 3 - adding a higher income category with a higher rate to the state income tax, close some exemptions, add a small increase to motor fuels tax, and reduce the state sales tax on food to 5%. The bill has a lot of moving parts. There is also a proposal to eliminate the LLC income tax exemption, reinstate tax on passive income (such as rents) and increase the income tax rate on the two current income tax categories. It will take many more weeks of hearings for these options to be narrowed down. Meanwhile, tax receipts for January did come in slightly above projections, which is whittling away at the projected deficit a bit. There is no doubt that liquor taxes are very likely to be tossed into the mix - perhaps more than once before the session is over.

Read KABR Testimony Here

Read notes here: Notes from Jan 31 Tobacco and Liquor Tax Increases

Notes from Feb 1 Liquor and Motor Fuels

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR DUES FOR 2017? PRINT DUES FORM HERE.

Office	Fullname	Officenum	Offph	Email	Party	District	Hmphyscity
Chair	Julia Lynn	445-S	785-296-7382	Julia.Lynn@senate.ks.gov	Republican	9	Olathe
Vice Chair	Gene Suellentrop	224-E	785-296-7385	Gene.Suellentrop@senate.ks.gov	Republican	27	Wichita
Ranking Minority	Tom Holland	134-E	785-296-7372	Tom.Holland@senate.ks.gov	Democrat	3	Baldwin City
Senator	Larry Alley	541-E	785-296-7381	Larry.Alley@senate.ks.gov	Republican	32	Winfield
Senator	Molly Baumgardner	224-E	785-296-7368	Molly.Baumgardner@senate.ks.gov	Republican	37	Louisburg
Senator	Barbara Bollier	237-E	785-296-7390	Barbara.Bollier@senate.ks.gov	Republican	7	Mission Hills
Senator	Oletha Faust-Goudeau	135-E	785-296-7387	Oletha.Faust-Goudeau@senate.ks.gov	Democrat	29	Wichita
Senator	Bruce Givens	225-E	785-296-7678	Bruce.Givens@senate.ks.gov	Republican	14	El Dorado
Senator	Robert Olson	236-E	785-296-7358	Rob.Olson@senate.ks.gov	Republican	23	Olathe
Senator	Mary Pilcher-Cook	234-E	785-296-7362	Mary.PilcherCook@senate.ks.gov	Republican	10	Shawnee
Senator	Dinah Sykes	237-E	785-296-7367	Dinah.Sykes@senate.ks.gov	Republican	21	Lenexa

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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Retailers Must Communicate with Legislators to Prevent Strong Beer and Wine in Big Box Stores

Wednesday, February 01, 2017 3:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

The beer and wine legislation introduced on January 12 in the House Commerce Committee has not yet been published. It is very unusual for a bill to be introduced in committee and not be available for review weeks later. However, the Commerce Committee Chair is planning to hold a hearing once the bill is published – assuming there is still time within the legislative deadlines.

Yesterday, Dillon’s/Kroger employees came to the State Capitol and met with legislators throughout the building. Without a bill, we can only rely on the various newspaper and television stories from the past week. Within those stories, Jessica Lucas, Uncork lobbyist, says the bill will allow big box and convenience stores to sell beer and wine.

"With only three states selling 3.2 beer, you limit the ability to have products to put on the shelf," said Jessica Lucas, a lobbyist with Uncork Kansas. "We need the government to allow us to sell beer without the definition that it must be 3.2 beer."

Lucas says the bill would also benefit liquor stores by allowing them to sell things like chips, corkscrews, mixers, and other non-alcoholic products.” From the KFDI Wichita story.

From this description – the bill likely does NOT include any requirements that corporate chains buy out current liquor store licensees nor a significant transition period as proposed in some of the previous Uncork bills. The “buy out’ concept has only been included in bills that would put strong beer, wine and spirits into the big box stores.

Long time members of KABR know – the key to winning this issue is one on one relationships with your legislators It takes more than a 2 minute conversation to explain the complex concerns of retail liquor store owners. As they get to know you and learn about your business, they are better able to understand the harmful effects of Uncork legislation. As you develop an honest supportive relationship with your representative and senator, you are also more likely to receive information from them about the happenings at the Legislature. If you do not know them already, reach out now to introduce yourself and to begin a conversation about why you hope they will support Kansas small businesses and oppose Uncork. If they are local, request a meeting.

Reach out to the members of the House Commerce Committee and your legislators now (see information below if you need help). Face to face meetings are extremely valuable – either at the Statehouse in Topeka or while they are home on the weekends. Emails and phone calls are also effective. It is very important that our members get active now on this issue, or we will find ourselves behind the ball once a public hearing is finally scheduled.

Find your state senator and state representative at https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ by entering your address information. Contact information for all legislators is available at www.kslegislature.org.

Information for the House Commerce Committee is below:

Office	Fullname	Party	Office#	OfficePhone	Email	HomeCity
Chair	Les Mason	Republican	521-E	785-296-7640	les.mason@house.ks.gov	McPherson
Vice Chair	Ken Corbet	Democrat	179-N	785 296-7679	ken.corbet@house.ks.gov	Topeka
Ranking Minority	Brandon Whipple	Republican	452-S	785 296-7366	brandon.whipple@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Dave Baker	Republican	167-W	785 296-6997	dave.baker@house.ks.gov	Council Grove
Representative	John Carmichael	Republican	451-S	785-296-7650	john.carmichael@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	J. R. Claeys	Republican	274-W	785 296-7670	jrclaeys@house.ks.gov	Salina
Representative	Stephanie Clayton	Republican	512-N	785 296-7548	stephanie.clayton@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Erin Davis	Republican	151-S	785-296-7658	erin.davis@house.ks.gov	Olathe
Representative	Roger Elliott	Republican	168-W	785 296-7476	Roger.Elliott@house.ks.gov	Wichita
Representative	Jan Kessinger	Republican	268-W	785 296-7436	Jan.Kessinger@house.ks.gov	Overland Park
Representative	Tom Phillips	Republican	512-N	785 296-7402	tom.phillips@house.ks.gov	Manhattan
Representative	Bradley Ralph	Democrat	512-N	785 296-7501	Brad.Ralph@house.ks.gov	Dodge City
Representative	Louis Ruiz	Republican	47-S	785 296-7885	louis.ruiz@house.ks.gov	Kansas City
Representative	Joe Seiwert	Democrat	481-W	785 296-7647	joe.seiwert@house.ks.gov	Pretty Prairie
Representative	Jerry Stogsdill	Democrat	452-S	785 296-7692	Jerry.Stogsdill@house.ks.gov	Prairie Village
Representative	Sean Tarwater	Party	268-W	785 296-7685	Sean.Tarwater@house.ks.gov	Stilwell
Representative	Patsy Terrell	Republican	174-W	785 296-7645	Patsy.Terrell@house.ks.gov	Hutchinson

Contacts:

Brian Davis, President - 316-990-1425 Email President

Amy Campbell, lobbyist – 785-969-1617 Email Lobbyist

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Impact of 16% Liquor Enforcement Tax

Friday, January 27, 2017 3:13 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

According to the Department of Revenue budget proposal, raising the enforcement tax from 8% to 16% would generate an additional $52.3M in 2018. Current enforcement tax at 8% generated $67.8M in 2016.

It appears the Department of Revenue expects some slowing of sales due to the tax increase as revenue is not doubled from current collections. Instead of forecasting $67.8M in revenue doubles to $135.6M, they have forecast increased revenues of $120.1M ($67.8M current plus $52.3M forecast). To get $120.1M of revenue from a 16% tax would require gross sales of $750.6M.

	Sales	Tax Rate	SGF
2016	$847.5M	8%	67.8
2018	750.6M	16%	120.1 (67.8+52.3 additional)
	-94.9		+52.3

This forecast indicates a $94.9M reduction or (11.2%) in total alcohol sales. To get that extra $52.3M, Kansas retailers are being asked to absorb an 11.1% loss. Those retailers near the Missouri border the loss will be much greater. This is not a responsible fiscal policy.

This is a terrible proposal. Here are some of the key arguments to oppose it.

1. The Department of Revenue’s own numbers indicate Kansas would lose $95M in alcohol sales. This will hurt retailers, especially those near the Missouri border.

2. This will also have a negative impact on wholesalers of spirits, wine and beer who sell to those retailers.

3. It effectively raises the cost of goods sold to bars and restaurants by 8%. Raising drink prices will drive business to Missouri. This will also cause a reduction in the 10% drink tax.

4. It is a regressive tax hitting lower and middle class consumers particularly hard. A $6.99 six pack will have a tax of $1.12 or a tax of $4.48 for a case.

House Taxation Committee – Contact Amy at 785-969-1617 to submit testimony. We will help facilitate. Individuals who intend to testify must contact Lea Gerard, Committee Assistant–785-296-4830 and provide copies of testimony 24 hours in advance.

Meeting each day at 3:30 p.m. in room 346-S of the Kansas Statehouse (Click here for list of committee members.) Chair is Steven Johnson, Vice Chair Tom Phillips, and Ranking Minority Member Tom Sawyer.

Monday, January 30: Informational hearing: Sales Tax Exemptions Statutes: 3603(b), 3603(p), 3606(ee), 3606(t), 3606(hhhh), 3606(nn), 3603(s), 3606(i) (Includes Lottery tickets and advertising)

Tuesday, January 31: Public Input on Governor's proposals regarding raising cigarette tax, alcohol tax and potential motor fuel tax

Wednesday, February 1: Informational briefing: Taxation on Retirement Benefits

Thursday, February 2: Discussion on: Changes to Income Tax Rates and Glide Path to Zero

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kansas association of beverage retailers

News

Tuesday, February 14, 2017 7:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

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Friday, January 27, 2017 3:13 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)