Posters at the Capitol Event

Event:  Posters-at-the-Capitol, the Showcase of Undergraduate Research across Kentucky Colleges and Universities

Poster Presentation:  Andrew Monarch, Political Science Major, “Liquor Licensing in the Commonwealth” (Poster #86)

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014

Time: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Where: Commonwealth of Kentucky State Capitol Building, Rotunda

Abstract:

Andrew Monarch

University of Louisville

Mentor: Dr. Sherri L. Wallace

Liquor Licensing in the Commonwealth

Kentucky distilling companies shipped around 2.5 billion dollars in product last year and created

an estimated 8,600 jobs in our state. Kentucky is also responsible for over 90% of the world's

bourbon whiskey yet we have some of the most complex laws regarding liquor licensing. There

are over 70 types of liquor licenses throughout the state and we support Steve Beshear's attempt

to streamline these liquor laws into something more manageable and more fiscally fruitful. We

allow individual precincts to decide on their wet/dry status and this puts an enormous strain on

our state's regulating officials. This is not only a financial burden but it also creates confusion

among the people which hurts the overall political perception of our state's government. In

trimming down the perplexity of our states liquor laws we will be more effective in alcohol

regulation as well as pave the way for "cleaner" legislation that can allow our state to further

capitalize on this enormous resource. This will also improve political attitudes towards our state

government. With more clearly defined laws we have the opportunity to create more jobs and

expand one of our states largest businesses to suffering counties. We can also increase revenue

for existing Kentucky businesses and allow the KY Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to

more efficiently regulate alcohol distribution and consumption throughout the state.