Posts from the Massachusetts Category
Is the Marketplace Fairness Act Fair for Wineries?
In short, yes, for a couple of reasons: 1. Wineries already pay sales tax in most states 2. The vast majority of wineries will likely be exempt from the law So what is it, exactly? Senate Bill S. 743, more commonly known as the “Marketplace Fairness Act“, is a pretty simple bill that would give [...]
May 7th, 2013
What to Look for in Wine Compliance in the Coming Year
As we like to do at the beginning of each year, we once again look into our crystal ball and offer you some informed prognostications as to what the world of wine direct shipping might have in store for the coming year. While we don’t see any negative trends impacting the compliance world in the [...]
January 22nd, 2013
Maryland Direct Wine Shipment Report will be Important in Other States
Since 2005 when the Granholm v. Heald Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates for direct wine shipping legislation, questions about whether direct shipping would harm local businesses, would hurt tax revenue and would lead to a significant increase in minors accessing alcohol have been posed. It has been rare that these and other questions are [...]
January 14th, 2013
H.R. 5034 Update: Revision Reignites Debate, Important Hearing Set for Wednesday
When H.R. 5034 (also known as the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness, or “CARE” Act) was introduced on April 15, 2010, the opposition responded quickly and forcefully. Supplier organizations were united in their opposition to the bill, referring to it as the “wholesalers monopoly protection bill”. Even the California State Legislature issued a resolution, SJR 34, [...]
September 28th, 2010
Massachusetts Remains Elusive for Direct Shippers
On 1/14/10 the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled in favor the plaintiff in the Massachusetts FWC v. Jenkins litigation. The ruling affirmed the lower court’s order that struck down the capacity caps and wholesaler exclusions which are included in the Massachusetts direct-to-consumer shipping statute and prevented over half of the wineries in [...]
