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Beating a Dead Horse, Legislative Version

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By Erik Schelzig, Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The sponsor of a bill seeking to attract horse slaughter facilities said the bill likely will not pass this year.
Rep. Andy Holt said that chances were not good for the bill to pass, but he remained committed to bringing the industry to Tennessee.
The Senate version of the bill was taken off notice last week and Holt took it off the schedule for the House floor on Monday. He said an amendment that would require hefty deposits for anyone to mount a legal challenge to the facilities was removed from the bill, but he was also working on adding animal treatment guidelines.
“I am not into rushing stuff through,” he said. “We want to make sure all the interested parties have a chance to express their grievances with these bills.”
Holt said he wants to add protections for the horses and horse owners.
“The amendment we are working on right now actually sets up guidelines for animal treatment and for the procurement of these animals,” he said.
Holt, a Dresden Republican, has said his bill would create a humane way to cope with unwanted horses that are sometimes left to starve. But Democratic Rep. Janis Sontany of Nashville said slaughterhouses are seeking a different population of horses.
“They don’t want old or sick horses for slaughter,” she said. “They want healthy horses.”

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‘Wine in Grocery Stores’ Dead For Another Year

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Statement from Jarron Springer, president of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association.
“The Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association remains committed to the effort to change Tennessee’s antiquated liquor laws to allow for the sale of wine in retail food stores. We are in business to serve our customers, and they have told us time and again that they want to purchase wine where they shop for food.
“As you may have heard, we are at an impasse with the legislature, and the ‘wine in retail food stores’ bill will not be heard this year. The makeup of the Senate State & Local Government Committee and the House State & Local Government Committee has not changed in some time, and a majority of the current members are not eager to vote for our bill. Everyone knows that if the bill were to be heard by the full legislature, it would pass.
“In the months to come, we ask that you get to know who represents you in the legislature. Please press legislative candidates for their position on the issue of wine in retail food stores, and vote accordingly. When possible, Red White and Food will share information about the candidates to help you make an informed decision prior to Election Day.
“To the 27,000-plus members of Red White and Food, we thank you for your support. We are confident the issue of wine in retail food stores will be back in 2013. We’re not giving up, and we hope you will join us in our continued fight to give consumers what they want – the ability to purchase wine where they shop for food.”