The State Senate passed S-3172 this week, Save Jerseyans.
The NJ Wine PAC, which is organized by the Garden State Wine Growers Association, enthusiastically and actively backed the legislation to ease restrictions on the shipment of wine. It donated $1,500.00 to the NJ Senate Democrat Majority. See “purpose” on page 9 of the attached report (click here).
The merits of S-3172 are one thing; apparently the wine growers and liquor distributors had a booze war over it. The disclosed “purpose” of the donation is another thing altogether: “To support passage of wine bill.”
Check it out:
I’m not suggesting that there’s anything untoward going on here, Save Jerseyans. And of course wine growers would want to eliminate any and all red tape associated with their product’s distribution! No one can fault business owners for it; they didn’t create this cruddy campaign finance system. They’re simply finding ways to work within it for the sake of their employees.
I am, however, always interested in sharing stark examples of how Trenton operates with you.
It’s a place where monied interests can openly pool their resources and influence legislation. Average individual taxpayers and business owners aren’t as fortunate. Even if John Taxpayer or Jane Shopkeeper figured out how to start a political action committee, they lack the ability to effectively lobby for legislation that would aid their own economic interests – property tax and tenure reform both come to mind as notable examples. Most people don’t have $15,000 or even $1,500 in spare change to fight for their rights.
So let’s toast New Jersey wine enthusiasts. They’ve had a good week. Taxpayers writ-large, however, need to keep their hopes for a more affordable existence on ice until we get a new legislature.
