In response to the article ("Mich. bills might alter alcohol sales" SN 6/21), the author needs to be a bit more thorough in their fact checking.
House Bill 4959 and Senate Bill 600 only disallow online orders and direct shipping from wine makers but not from retail outlets. Retail outlets can still take orders over the phone, via the Internet, mail or other indirect means. These alcohol shipments can be delivered without a direct person-to-person sale.
Maybe you should place an inquiry with Rep. Chris Ward, R-Brighton, on how this bill actually prevents a minor from getting that bottle of vodka.
Or maybe you should talk with Betty Mercer, director of the Coalition for a Safe and Responsible Michigan, on how we can rely on a delivery person for shipment from retail outlets, but not for shipments from a winery (even though this could be the same delivery person).
Maybe you should ask Rep. Ward how much money his various organizations received from the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association; as well as how this bill prevents minors from getting access to alcohol when a 2003 Federal Trade Commission report indicated that about 55 percent of the time, minors were successful in purchasing alcohol from retail outlet.
As for the survey noted on the side column of the article, you noted that survey was done by the Coalition for a Safe and Responsible Michigan. That is incorrect - the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association commissioned the poll on behalf of the Coalition for a Safe and Responsible Michigan.
Maybe you should also research who started the Coalition for a Safe and Responsible Michigan and who is a driving force behind the organization.
Maybe you should also research how much money the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association gave to Michigan candidates during 2004 (it is all on the Secretary of State's Web site).
There are now 28 states that allow direct wine shipment to consumers from wineries (in and out-of-state wineries). A study by the FTC with direct information from the states that do allow shipments show that there is no evidence that this is another avenue for minors to get alcohol.
I would suggest in future that you investigate the facts and both sides of the issue before putting out a story.
Laura Grudzien
alumna
