Gov. Martin O'Malley's chief lobbyist broke the news to public health advocates and anti-teen drinking crusaders Wednesday afternoon: The governor would sign a bill the next day ensuring that "alcopops" would continue to be taxed and distributed the same way as beer.
The advocates, who had spent the past three months arguing that the bill would make it easier for teens to get fruity drinks such as Mike's Hard Lemonade, sprang into action. Within hours, the national leader of Mothers Against Drunk Driving was on a plane from Dallas for a meeting with the governor, activists and two Marylanders whose children were killed by drunken drivers.
By the time the governor emerged, he "had a lot to think about," he said, and he decided to shelve the bill. O'Malley said yesterday that he wanted to consider the extent to which the drinks are "gateway" alcoholic beverages for teenagers, a contention the manufacturers deny.
"I want a little more time to think about it," O'Malley said after signing more than 100 bills yesterday, including many dealing with environmental and energy-related reforms. He said he would weigh the regulatory question along with the public health implications of the new law.
Lawmakers are usually eager to enact legislation to cut down on teen drinking, but the alcopops bill was a top priority this year for Maryland's liquor lobby, one of the most influential interest groups in the state. O'Malley has collected more than $230,000 in campaign contributions from liquor interests over the past decade, by far the most of any Maryland politician.
The law, which would effectively maintain the drinks' long-standing status in Maryland, passed by wide margins in both legislative chambers. It was controversial because activists believe the beverages are marketed to underage drinkers and that the broader distribution and lower taxes they have traditionally enjoyed in Maryland make them more available to teenagers.
But supporters of the bill say vetoing it would amount to a de facto tax increase, since Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler recently ruled that the drinks are effectively the same as liquor, which is taxed at a higher rate than beer. They have also said there's no evidence the beverages are marketed to minors.
The legislation was approved in the final few minutes of this year's legislative session, despite an outcry from lawmakers who sought to debate, amend and kill the bill. It passed 96-40 in the House and 36-10 in the Senate.
