The ruling: http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/03-1116.ZS.html Article: http://news.com.com/2100-1030_3-5708623.html An entertaining back-and-forth between Michigan and IJ follows. -Declan -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Institute for Justice Responds to Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner Date: Mon, 16 May 2005 16:29:19 -0400 STATEMENT RELEASE ON WINE CASE ISSUED: 4:30 p.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: John E. Kramer or Lisa Knepper May 16, 2005 (202) 955-1300 Institute for Justice Responds to Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner’s Call To Shut Down Wine Marketplace Washington, D.C.—Rather than grow the in-state winery market and expand the economic pie as well as choice for consumers, Michigan Liquor Control Commissioner Nida Samona warned in the wake of her loss in the wine case decided today by the U.S. Supreme Court, that she would respond by asking state legislators to bar in-state wineries from direct shipping wine as well. Samona said, “This would mean that all purchases have to be done on a face-to-face basis.” The Institute for Justice, which represents those seeking to open up these markets, offered the following responses: “This is a vile suggestion on their part and not very wise,” said Clint Bolick, the strategic litigation counsel for the Institute for Justice. “A bureaucrat standing between consumers and their favorite wine in the wake of today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision is in a very hazardous spot. Unfortunately, however, as Star Wars teaches us, the Empire always strikes back and Samona’s response only underscores that point. But you can’t keep freedom corked up. In the end, we’re sure the economics of expanding the economic liberty of vintners and the choice of consumers will win the day.” “This is simply sour grapes on the part of the State,” said Steve Simpson, senior attorney with the Institute for Justice. “Without any genuine reflection or consideration of the potential benefits of this decision, their first response is to shut down the marketplace. Today’s decision has legs and will transform state law to expand consumer choice and economic opportunity in wine and many other industries.” # # # [NOTE: To arrange interviews on this subject, journalists may call John Kramer, the Institute for Justice’s vice president for communications, at (202) 955-1300 or in the evening/weekend at (703) 527-8730. For an on-line media kit on this case, visit http://www.ij.org/economic_liberty/ny_wine/index.html.] _______________________________________________ Politech mailing list Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
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