Minnesota Shutdown Means No Beer, No Butts.

[Harvey]

The Minnesota state government is shut down in yet another rerun of the hard line Republican addiction to the argument that NO tax increases, not even on the uber-rich, can be tolerated. This has meant that beer makers and tobacco sellers can't get their licenses renewed or deal with other legal requirements, and the entire state is on the verge of going cold turkey.

It's poetic justice that some legislators and voters may have to choose between their addictions.

Story on NPR.

Last Call? Minnesota Shutdown Hits Beer, Cigarette Sales

by Bill Chappell

Bars and restaurants with no booze; stores with no cigarettes: that's the picture coming into focus in Minnesota, as the effects of the state's government shutdown ripple through society. The reasons range from expired liquor permits (which can't be renewed) to a lack of cigarette tax stamps (which can't be purchased).

With the sale of alcohol and tobacco closely regulated and taxed, stores are quickly running through their supplies, and they're asking for special dispensations that would help them serve their customers.

In a bit unintended and brutal irony, a bar in the Uptown district of Minneapolis has already closed; its liquor license expired on the first day of the shutdown. The name of the suffering bar, innocently caught in the middle of a partisan spat, is the Independent.

And a story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune raises the specter of watching baseball without a beer in hand — a state of affairs that's common for some, but unthinkable for others:

The Ugly Mug, a popular bar near Target Field, doesn't have enough beer to get through the baseball season.

"Our inventories are diminishing rapidly over the next month," owner Erik Forsberg said. He was among a cluster of bar and restaurant owners who appealed Tuesday to a court-appointed special master to be allowed to continue buying alcohol during the shutdown. "When [the Twins are] back on Thursday and people can't get Budweiser and they can't get whatever, they're just going to go somewhere else."​

One cigarette distributor says he bought some $2 million in tax stamps to prepare for the shutdown. Those in the industry say that the state will run short of cigarettes in September.

One cigarette distributor says he bought some $2 million in tax stamps to prepare for the shutdown. Those in the industry say that the state will run short of cigarettes in September.

By the end of July, around 425 businesses will be without the cards that allow them to buy alcohol from wholesalers, according to the Star Tribune.

"This doesn't just affect retailers, but wholesalers, and the manufacturers, and wedding parties, and church functions, and one day liquor licenses for charity events, and festivals and the list goes on and on and on," Frank Ball of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association told KARE Channel 11.

 

[LegendKiller]

I am visiting my brother in MN right now, this shit is funny. People are pissed that bars are closing and beer can't be bought. Fucking hicks thought this shit would just magically happen.

How's your Bachmann now, bitch?

 

[CADsortaGUY]

lol at the OP for trying to blame the GOP in MN for this. It seems that as with Washington we have some people trying to be responsible and others not so much. Oh well... it's not like you'll even try to see the reality of it all anyway...

 

[Harvey]

lol at the OP for trying to blame the GOP in MN for this. It seems that as with Washington we have some people trying to be responsible and others not so much. Oh well... it's not like you'll even try to see the reality of it all anyway...

The Tea-Tard Republicans have already overplayed their hand and lost that argument, CAD. The funny part is that they didn't through the possible consequenses of their actions, they've kind of foisted themselves on their own petard.

I'm just wondering how many of those who swore they'd never back down are going to take quitting smoking and their daily beer?

Time for the lawn chair and popcorn. :biggrin:

 

[Lithium381]

Tell me again why the MN government shut down? They couldn't afford to stay open because they spent too much? Is that what happened here?

 

[LegendKiller]

Tell me again why the MN government shut down? They couldn't afford to stay open because they spent too much? Is that what happened here?

The Rs wouldn't budge on a tax increase, the Ds offered up some spending cuts but Rs wanted more and no tax increases.

Roads are going unrepaired, the state fair may be eliminated, other fairs may be cut.

This is going to be amusing.

 

[Lithium381]

The Rs wouldn't budge on a tax increase, the Ds offered up some spending cuts but Rs wanted more and no tax increases.

Roads are going unrepaired, the state fair may be eliminated, other fairs may be cut.

This is going to be amusing.

What you're trying to explain doesn't make sense.... they shut down the government because they wanted to raise taxes but didn't? So they would also shut down the government if they wanted to implement new regulations on wood, but then in the end didn't do it. You're saying because they wanted something and it didn't happen they closed down the government? Maybe you can explain it a bit better because I don't quite get what you were saying

 

[LegendKiller]

What you're trying to explain doesn't make sense.... they shut down the government because they wanted to raise taxes but didn't? So they would also shut down the government if they wanted to implement new regulations on wood, but then in the end didn't do it. You're saying because they wanted something and it didn't happen they closed down the government? Maybe you can explain it a bit better because I don't quite get what you were saying

Sorry, they had to pass a budget, neither side would budge, so there is no budget and no ability to fund it.

 

[Lithium381]

Sorry, they had to pass a budget, neither side would budge, so there is no budget and no ability to fund it.

Oh, i see. Why did they want tax increase and to cut spending?

 

[LegendKiller]

Oh, i see. Why did they want tax increase and to cut spending?

MN is running a deficit, just as the country is. The logical conclusion is to both cut spending and raise revenue.

 

[BoberFett]

Sounds like a problem of over-regulation to me.

 

[Lithium381]

Q: Why is the state going through a government shutdown?

A: Gov. Mark Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislature are at odds over $1.8 billion in state spending for the upcoming two-year budget cycle. The governor has proposed raising taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans to support more spending in the coming biennium, but Republicans have rejected Dayton's plan. The Legislature passed a $34 billion budget with no tax increases, but Dayton vetoed it.

The Minnesota Constitution requires appropriations before the state can spend any money, and so far, only funding for the Department of Agriculture has been signed into law.

 

[LegendKiller]

Sounds like a problem of over-regulation to me.

Yeah, those modern roads suck. Guess we should just privatize them all. Same with parks, fuck 'em.

 

[Lithium381]

SO upon further research MN requires a balanced budget for the two year term. Apparently the Legislature gave the governor a balanced budget and he rejected it.... because he wants to tax the rich? That's BS... "the rich can afford it" How the F*** would they know if they can afford it. "oh they'll just have to cut back a bit, but they'll be fine" BS!!!! How about the government cut back a bit!

 

[LegendKiller]

SO upon further research MN requires a balanced budget for the two year term. Apparently the Legislature gave the governor a balanced budget and he rejected it.... because he wants to tax the rich? That's BS... "the rich can afford it" How the F*** would they know if they can afford it. "oh they'll just have to cut back a bit, but they'll be fine" BS!!!! How about the government cut back a bit!

His budget did include spending cuts.

 

[nonlnear]

Sounds like a problem of over-regulation to me.

This.

Why exactly does one require a permit when permits aren't available? Sounds like entrapment to me. You've got to have the mind of a beaten down slave to believe that just because the government stops functioning the world must revert to a state of prohibition. If permits aren't available, we don't need no steenking permits.

 

[cubby1223]

"Minnesota Shutdown Means No Beer, No Butts"

OK. Isn't that what liberals want anyways? To get rid of causes of our over-priced health care system? Bend the cost curve down?

This story is more of a failure of government, in that alcohol and cigarettes cannot be purchased without a government budget.

 

[BoberFett]

Yeah, those modern roads suck. Guess we should just privatize them all. Same with parks, fuck 'em.

You really have gone full retard over the last couple years LK.

Renewal of a business license is now equated with privatizing roads and parks? Straw man much?

Doing paperwork is not a benefit of government, it's red tape. It's government for governments sake. This is the very thing that sensible libertarians are against. We're not all against public schools and roads. What we are against the fact that a large part of government is a pointless bureaucracy whose only function is to stamp a piece of paper and in doing so (or in this case, not doing so) stands in the way of the economic activity.

Edit: It's also funny that some of you are clearly trying to pin this on "that other party of evildoers." Both sides are playing games.

 

[cubby1223]

I do have to laugh at the article that warns cigarettes will run out in September.

IF THE GOVERNMENT IS STILL SHUT DOWN COME SEPTEMBER, CIGARETTES WILL BE THE LAST THING ON ANYONE'S MINDS.

Who comes up with these lame articles? Seriously. Article seems to imply that the government is the provider of these things, and these are the only things the commoners care about.

 

[hal2kilo]

I am visiting my brother in MN right now, this shit is funny. People are pissed that bars are closing and beer can't be bought. Fucking hicks thought this shit would just magically happen.

How's your Bachmann now, bitch?

I can't wait for more Teaparty ruled gubment.

 

[LegendKiller]

You really have gone full retard over the last couple years LK.

Renewal of a business license is now equated with privatizing roads and parks? Straw man much?

Doing paperwork is not a benefit of government, it's red tape. It's government for governments sake. This is the very thing that sensible libertarians are against. We're not all against public schools and roads. What we are against the fact that a large part of government is a pointless bureaucracy whose only function is to stamp a piece of paper and in doing so (or in this case, not doing so) stands in the way of the economic activity.

Edit: It's also funny that some of you are clearly trying to pin this on "that other party of evildoers." Both sides are playing games.

Sorry but there are good reasons for most of the laws, whether its code, standards, revenue...etc.

 

[BoberFett]

I can't wait for more Teaparty ruled gubment.

You're right. Beer wouldn't exist without the almighty hand of God... sorry, I meant government, guiding the hands of it's children.

 

[mrjminer]

Sorry but there are good reasons for most of the laws, whether its code, standards, revenue...etc.

In other words... artificial restrictions/taxes imposed on certain goods unfairly are good reasons. You don't see, say, Oreos or some shit being unable to be purchased, even though they're no more "necessary" than cigarettes or beer.

 

[BoberFett]

Sorry but there are good reasons for most of the laws, whether its code, standards, revenue...etc.

Clearly the government itself disagrees. If there were good reasons for those things, licensing departments would have been specified as vital services and kept open. Apparently even those in power thinks those things aren't vital.

 

[Lithium381]

They don't automatically get extended until the departments come back online? here in california my DMV sticker was due a month ago, i just got the notice today. The cops have been advised of our financial situation and not to pull anyone over with expired tags from the last three months because they couldn't get their act together....... why can't it be the same way in MN?