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Blacks And Conservatives Agree: Keep Wine Out Of Grocery Stores!
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 14, 2011
Modified Jun 15, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 14, 2011
Modified Jun 15, 2011
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If things go just so, New York State could soon get not just marriage equality, we could also catch up with 35 other states in the Union and let you pick up a bottle of red when you buy your bread and butter. Not only are there currently bills working through Albany with bi-partisan support, such a move has support from almost all New Yorkers, according to a new Siena poll [PDF]. Well, except for two groups that don't normally agree.
“A strong majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents support passing a law to allow wine to be sold in supermarkets and grocery stores," explained Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg. "There is support in every region, with strongest support in the downstate suburbs. Younger voters support it more than older voters.” According to the poll a record high of 59 percent of the population supports allowing grocery stores to sell win in New York State (with 36 percent opposed).
There are some people, however, who don't dig the idea of mixing vino sales with their shopping staples. According to Greenberg, “ironically the only two demographic groups that oppose wine being sold in grocery stores—albeit by small majorities—are two groups not often aligned on issues: conservatives and African American voters.” According to the poll (you can see the cross tabs PDF here) only 45 percent of African American's and conservatives support the idea, while 54 and 51 percent, respectively, oppose it.
Probably not that surprisingly, since the current rule means more driving for them, the strongest support for changing the rules comes out of the suburbs, where 70 percent are for it.
Still, wine won't be coming to Food Emporium just yet (sigh, we thought they made the store just for us!), as it isn't expected to make it onto the voting schedule before the current session ends on Monday. Such a rule change also faces the hurdle that Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos has previously worried aloud that changing the current system, where liquor stores have a virtual monopoly on wine sales, could seriously hurt that industry.
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Albany
grocery stores
liquor stores
new york
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Garth Johnston
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