Pubdate: Thu, 30 Oct 2014
Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Copyright: 2014 The Commercial Appeal
Contact: http://web.commercialappeal.com/newgo/forms/letters.htm
Website: http://www.commercialappeal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95
Authors: Esme E. Deprez and Millie Hogue, Bloomberg News
Page: 9A

ARK. VOTERS TO DECIDE ENTIRE STATE'S 'WET' FATE

Unusual ballot issue draws broad lines, odd partnerships on 
Prohibition-era 'dry' option

OZARK, Ark.- Arkansas liquor stores have allied with religious 
leaders to fight statewide legalization of alcohol sales. The stores 
in wet counties don't want to lose customers. The churches don't want 
to lose souls.

A ballot issue next week asks voters whether to amend their 
constitution to permit sales of intoxicating liquors in all 75 
counties, up from about half. Passage would further erode the 
shrinking swath of America, mostly in the South, clinging to vestiges 
of Prohibition even as cultural attitudes and waning religious 
influence have killed it off elsewhere.

If successful, Arkansas would join states and municipalities trading 
in looser vice laws for tax revenue and economic activity. Colorado 
and Washington this year began taxing legal sales of marijuana, while 
New Jersey is fighting in federal court to allow betting on 
professional sports at racetracks and struggling Atlantic City casinos.

Let Arkansas Decide, spearheading the initiative, says passage would 
keep local dollars in their communities, attract business and cut 
down on gasoline use, pollution and impaired driving. Contributions 
have come from out-of-state convenienceand grocery-store chains as 
far away as Iowa.

The measure in Arkansas is unique in that it could determine the 
status of the entire state. Passage would force its 37 dry counties, 
which forbid the retail sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages, 
though often with exceptions for private clubs, to allow it. The law 
would take effect in July.

Citizens for Local Rights, the opposition group funded by alcohol 
retailers seeking to preserve their competitive advantage, argues the 
measure would lead to "beer joints and honky tonks right next to our 
grade schools and churches," according to its website.

Most jurisdictions with booze bans still on the books are clustered 
in Arkansas and neighboring states, including Mississippi, Kentucky 
and Tennessee. Nationwide data on the precise number can be 
misleading: some counties that are dry are home to cities and towns 
that aren't, for instance.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom