Council Hearing Set for April 20 on Mayor's Proposal to Loosen Liquor Sales Rules

Councilmember Jim Graham, Chairman of the Committee on Human Services (which includes alcohol regulation) has scheduled a public hearing on a set of proposed changes to the rules governing the sale and taxation of alcohol in the District.The hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 120 of the Wilson Building.

The hearing will take testimony on a proposal from Mayor Vincent Gray and the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration to expand hours for the sales of alcoholic beverages and to increase the tax on the sale of alcohol by one percent. The proposal would:

• Allow beer, wine, and liquor stores to remain open until midnight (currently 10 p.m.)
• Increase the sales tax on off-premises alcohol sales from 9 percent to 10 percent.
• Allow bars to sell alcohol beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays (currently 10  a.m.)
• Allow liquor stores to sell alcohol on Sundays.

According to the Gray administration, these measures will raise approximately $6.3 million for the city's general fund in fiscal year 2012. Funds raised by the latter two proposals will go to support the police cost reimbursement program on weekends at the bars. The other proposals will be used as general fund revenues.

Those wishing to testify should contact Mr. Benton Heimsath at (202) 724-8191 by Tuesday, April 19, 2011.

At-Large Council Candidates Forum on Thursday

On Thursday, March 31, there will be a forum for candidates running for the at-large DC Council seat in the April 26th Special Election. The forum, which starts at 8pm, will be moderated by Tom Sherwood and Mark Segraves, and will take place at St. Columba's Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW.

All of the candidates on the ballot are expected to attend: Sekou Biddle, Vincent Orange, Patrick Mara, Bryan Weaver, Joshua Lopez, Stanley Mayes, Alan Page, and Jacque Patterson.

There's more information about about this forum at www.dcward3dems.org.

Kwame Brown Gets a Fully Loaded SUV

Drawing by Bill Adler

Chat with Councilmember Cheh on Saturday

This Saturday, October 23 from 11:30am to 1pm there will be another of the regular "Chat with Cheh" gatherings at the Chevy Chase Starbucks, located at 5500 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh hosts these regular sessions to bring the Council to closer to her constituents, to discuss legislation, current events in the District, or areas in which her office can be of assistance. For more information visit Councilmember Cheh's website.