Political Sense

I thought it would be fitting with spring weather, spring break and St. Patrick’s Day that we talk about beer. More specifically, beer legislation.

Fort Worth’s Rep. Lon Burnam and Sen.Wendy Davis have filed a few bills to help out Fort Worth’s local thirst for brew. HB1062 and its companion SB 754 change current law by stating:

(c) The holder of a brewer’s permit whose premises is
located in an area where the sale of ale and malt liquor is legal and
who produces at least 1,000 barrels of ale or malt liquor a year may
sell ale and malt liquor manufactured or bottled on the permitted
premises to ultimate consumers:
(1) in unbroken packages for off-premises consumption
in an amount that does not exceed 35,000 gallons annually; and
(2) for consumption on the brewery premises if the
brewery is located in an area where the sale of ale and malt liquor
for on-premises consumption is legal.

What does this mean to you? If passed, it means our friends over at Rahr Brewery in Southside can sell us some beer for on-site consumption and “to go” next time we tour the brewery.

It also means you may see more microbreweries and brewpubs around, along with more Texas brands like Shiner and St. Arnold in restaurants and on retailers’ shelves.

See what some of the breweries have to say:

• Rahr Brewery
• St. Arnold Brewery

Don’t worry it’s just a one-question! We are curious which government issues interest you the most. Click the link below to send us your answers.

• Top Legislative Issues Poll

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The folks at the Tarrant County Chambers did a great job on Wednesday and Thursday of bringing our 13 member delegation together to talk about this session’s important issues. On top of the list, transportation. There is still some apprehension by some on giving our local communities the option to go to the voters and try to raise money to pay for roads and rail in our county. It is still early and there is supposed to be a hearing in a few weeks on HB9 which would give counties this authority. Economic development, education and healthcare topped the list of issues discussed as well. There was strong representation from a broad array of interests including school boards, cities, county government and business.

See a photos of the trip in the Fort Worth Chamber’s Photo Gallery.

See a few photos of Brianna Broussard, the Manager of Vision Fort Worth, on her first visit to the Texas State Capitol on the VisionFW Photo Gallery.

Which issue do you think is most important to Tarrant County?

Ever heard of a guy named Thomas Friedman (www.thomaslfriedman.com)? Best known for writing The World is Flat, but more recently for saying the next big economic bubble following the internet bust is the financial bust. He may be right.

Obama is changing the rules – and there are rules on the money coming down from the Feds. The new millionaires will be “enviropreneurs.” $200 million coming into the state’s energy conservation organization SECO can help boost some ingenuity. So if you’re looking for a new job, you may want to check with the LEED - certified builders, wind or solar companies.

Have you heard of any exciting green projects or companies in Fort Worth or even Texas???

What do you care more about - A-ROD using steroids or TARP funds being used to pay dividends? These have both been in the headlines this week - equally weighted. One reporter even asked President Obama his thoughts about A-ROD at the stimulus news conference! As you know, there is an unwritten rule that says celebrities and professional athletes must get equal if not more air time to government and decisions that affect our wallets and livelihood.

Do you care that topics like Chris Brown and Rihanna’s relationship drama or Jessica Simpson’s waist size scroll across the bottom of CSPAN???

Speaking of, Austin is busy passing resolutions in both Chambers while awaiting House committee assignments which are due out by end of week…hopefully. You ever get a new employee in your office who is all of a sudden getting a raise and corner office after two weeks and you are only getting this treatment after working there two years (IF EVER)? This is how committee appointments work - it’s called politics and it’s a lot like picking horses.

Hey, did someone say horses? Anyone like going to Lone Star Park? Like going to Winstar but can’t stand the drive? If certain folks get what they want, you’ll get it all at Lone Star Park. They’re called Racinos and the legislation that allows race tracks to put one-arm bandits in their facility is on the drafting table…again. Can it pass this session with a more moderate House? Tough economic times… Budget woes… We’ll see.

Do you think it’s a good idea to bring a racino to the Dallas/Fort Worth area?