In an editorial this week, The Leaf-Chronicle stated its support for a referendum to allow Tennessee voters to decide whether they want wine in grocery stores. The Leaf-Chronicle sees it as “a democratic process that permits the residents to choose their own standards.”

“As we’ve said before, the government shouldn’t be in the position of protecting one business’ interests over another. The referendum process would put the matter into the hands of the people to decide how best to handle it in the communities where they live.”

Read the full editorial here. Be sure to leave a comment letting The Leaf-Chronicle know that you agree!

A week after sharing her opinion about Nashville’s archaic beer laws, Tennessean columnist Gail Kerr continued to wade through the sludge of Tennessee’s unfair alcohol regulations. On Dec. 26, Kerr took a look at an issue that has garnered the support of more than 26,000 Tennesseans over the past few years: wine sales in retail food stores.

Red White and Food member (and new mom) Meredith Hunter spoke with Kerr on the issue saying:

“It’s a hassle to get in the car and drive to another location. It wastes time and gas and adds extra stress to everyday errands. The prospect of multiple stops is now more of a problem for me because I have a newborn. Going to the store for essentials has turned into a production, so these days, I critically evaluate whether an extra stop is really worth it. The liquor lobby has been loudly and insistently making their desires known for decades, and I’m sick of our legislators only listening to one agenda.”

Thank you, Meredith, for voicing an opinion that reflects the sentiment of thousands of your fellow Tennesseans. Here’s to hoping our elected officials pay attention to their constituents this session – cheers!

Read Gail Kerr’s full column here.

The Johnson City Press is asking for reader feedback to the question “Should grocery stores be allowed to sell wine in Tennessee?” Read the full piece here.

So, what are you waiting for? Residents of Johnson City should submit comments to:

Comments can also be submitted via email to mailbag@johnsoncitypress.com.

Be sure to include your name, telephone number and address for verification. Responses will run on the Opinions page in future issues.

Tennessean columnist Gail Kerr wrote a piece today on Nashville’s archaic beer laws that touched on the illogical framework of the Volunteer State’s wine laws. Kerr writes,

“Tennessee’s state liquor laws befuddle the imagination, with sales of wine forbidden in grocery stores and sales of corkscrews forbidden in liquor stores. Add another layer — Nashville’s even more restrictive beer laws — and it can be a challenge for restaurant owners to get legal permission to sell what their customers want.”

Read the full column here.

 The Beacon Center of Tennessee, an organization dedicated to providing free market solutions to public policy issues in Tennessee, recently awarded the 2011 Lump of Coal Award to the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee. The award is given “to the person or group in Tennessee who, more than any other during the past year, acted as a Grinch to Tennesseans by bah-humbugging the principles of liberty and limited government.” Click here to read the full story.

We couldn’t agree more that the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Tennessee deserves this award. If you agree, don’t be a Scrooge – leave a comment below or share the story on Facebook or Twitter. Or (even better) submit a letter to the editor to your local paper, like this.

Cheers, and Happy Holidays!