Last week it was reported that Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was holding up the “Beer Jobs Bill” (Senate Bill 63) that would loosen restrictions on breweries in the state and allow them to sell directly to consumers.
Which makes it all the more interesting that breweries started posting kudos to Cagle on Facebook and Twitter within the past few hours.
Terrapin Beer Co. posted on Facebook a couple of hours ago…
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is taking the lead in bringing the parties together in compromise on SB 63, aka the Beer Jobs Bill. We appreciate that he’s taken an interest in our issue and are thankful for his guidance in getting everyone on board to move our bill forward. We look forward to working with him to advance #GABeer in the future.
Wild Heaven wrote this on Facebook…
Today we want to say that we are thankful for the leadership shown by leader of the Georgia State Senate Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle for listening and taking an interest in #SB63 and bringing all sides together for mutually agreed compromise.
And here’s Monday Night Brewing on Facebook…
Thanks Casey Cagle for showing great leadership in Georgia to bring all parties together for mutually agreed upon compromise on SB63. More to come soon!
Also, as Geoff just noted in FFAF, there’s a Reddit thread that’s following the issue as well.
The Regulated Industries Committee meets this Wednesday. The bill needs to make it out of committee by Crossover Day Fri., Mar. 13. Otherwise it’s dead until next year’s session.
Photo courtesy of Wild Heaven
I hope our breweries are not being politically outsmarted. Politicians know public memories are short and how to create perceived implications that are not solid commitments. They can agree to a compromise that is emptier than at first glance, and it won’t be realized until after March 13, at which point it will be take it or leave it. And most voters won’t care (I will).
I really hope I am just grumpy tonight, and that all these tweets suggest real progress.