The attack on alcoholic drinks young people like continues in the New York Senate, as a proposal (SB 4221) from Sen. Jeff Klein to limit the sale of flavored malt beverages to liquor stores was introduced on Wednesday. This change in venue is allegedly predicated on the fact that flavored malt beverages (FMBs) are “marketed” to and primarily used by people between the ages of 14 to 25.
The bill’s memo suggests that shifting FMBs out of grocery and convenience stores will limit the underage people that purchase them, on the basis that you can only enter a liquor store if you’re 21.
Klein also argues that this proposal could be a revenue raiser for the state, as FMBs currently qualify as beer and thus have a lower excise tax rate than the higher rate for liquor.
The bill would apply to any beverages with a combination of 6 percent alcohol by volume and one percent sugar that also include fruit flavor additives. It would be implemented 180 days after it shall become law so that convenience and grocery stores can liquidate their supplies.
Showing posts with label Nanny State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nanny State. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Nanny State to ban Salt?
In an attempt to give New Yorkers more control of their sodium intake, state Senator Eric Adams has proposed (SB 3597) a ban on restaurants using salt in their cooking.
The bill argues that it is giving people a chance for a healthier lifestyle. Luckily, consumers would still have the option of adding salt at their table.
Citing a report from the World Health Organization, the bill notes that at least 75 percent of the sodium intake in the U.S. comes at restaurants. The bill also cites vague "studies" that have proven lowering the salt people eat could reduce cases of heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks as much as reductions in smoking, obesity, and cholesterol levels.
Predictably, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has been the sponsor of this bill in the Assembly in the past, but this session he hasn't introduced it yet. Maybe because he is crafting a bill to ban pepper in cooking?
Once again, though, this proposal reads like another waste of the paper it was printed on, as it will never even come up for a committee vote.
The bill argues that it is giving people a chance for a healthier lifestyle. Luckily, consumers would still have the option of adding salt at their table.
Citing a report from the World Health Organization, the bill notes that at least 75 percent of the sodium intake in the U.S. comes at restaurants. The bill also cites vague "studies" that have proven lowering the salt people eat could reduce cases of heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks as much as reductions in smoking, obesity, and cholesterol levels.
Predictably, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has been the sponsor of this bill in the Assembly in the past, but this session he hasn't introduced it yet. Maybe because he is crafting a bill to ban pepper in cooking?
Once again, though, this proposal reads like another waste of the paper it was printed on, as it will never even come up for a committee vote.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
No Four Loko in Nanny State
Last week Sen. Jeff Klein, of the IDC, introduced a bill (SB 3889) that would ban the sale of caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced alcoholic beverages. This anti-fun legislation is a companion to Assemblyman Felix Ortiz's bill (AB 5171).
Essentially, the proposal would ban any drink with at least 5% alcohol by volume and 6 mg per ounce of caffeine or any other stimulant. This type of drink is currently sold as "beer," which allows it to be sold in convenience stores and supermarkets.
Interestingly, and probably hypocritically, the bill doesn't limit these caffeinated drinks if they have more than 15% alcohol by volume. It's possible that this exception is so that bars can continue to sell vodka and red bull, an extremely popular drink.
Luckily for proponents of having a good time, Klein introduced this bill in the past and it never went anywhere. Additionally, Ortiz's bill has been languishing in the Assembly for a month, so that seems to say that the furor over these delightful drinks has died down and a ban won't be passed. Unfortunately, Four Loko removed itself from New York shelves, except in a new form without caffeine. Enterprising youngsters, though, can still find the classic formula at shady establishments.
Essentially, the proposal would ban any drink with at least 5% alcohol by volume and 6 mg per ounce of caffeine or any other stimulant. This type of drink is currently sold as "beer," which allows it to be sold in convenience stores and supermarkets.
Interestingly, and probably hypocritically, the bill doesn't limit these caffeinated drinks if they have more than 15% alcohol by volume. It's possible that this exception is so that bars can continue to sell vodka and red bull, an extremely popular drink.
Luckily for proponents of having a good time, Klein introduced this bill in the past and it never went anywhere. Additionally, Ortiz's bill has been languishing in the Assembly for a month, so that seems to say that the furor over these delightful drinks has died down and a ban won't be passed. Unfortunately, Four Loko removed itself from New York shelves, except in a new form without caffeine. Enterprising youngsters, though, can still find the classic formula at shady establishments.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Nanny State 3: No Running!
If you live in a city with over 1 million people then I hope you enjoy running with traffic for background noise, because that's the vision of State Senator Carl Kruger, D-Baldmidgetville, who has probably never run a day in his life.
Motivated by three pedestrian deaths in NYC since September, Senate Bill 1945 would restrict the use of electronic devices within a crosswalk in large New York cities.
Kruger's classification of electronic devices includes media players (think I-Pods) and cellphones, on the basis that these things make it impossible for someone to be aware of their surroundings. The bill suggests that just a few seconds could save someone's life.
Additionally, the future law mandates that using the device includes having it in the "immediate proximity" of one's ears.
For risking the lives of pedestrians and motorists, offenders will be charged with a fine of $100.
No word yet on if Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has introduced a companion bill or whether he will just be serving as a crossing guard on every block in his district...
(Look for the bill in the Senate Transportation)
Motivated by three pedestrian deaths in NYC since September, Senate Bill 1945 would restrict the use of electronic devices within a crosswalk in large New York cities.
Kruger's classification of electronic devices includes media players (think I-Pods) and cellphones, on the basis that these things make it impossible for someone to be aware of their surroundings. The bill suggests that just a few seconds could save someone's life.
Additionally, the future law mandates that using the device includes having it in the "immediate proximity" of one's ears.
For risking the lives of pedestrians and motorists, offenders will be charged with a fine of $100.
No word yet on if Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has introduced a companion bill or whether he will just be serving as a crossing guard on every block in his district...
(Look for the bill in the Senate Transportation)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Nanny State 2
Just because he can, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz has reintroduced a piece of legislation (AB 1059) which would require skiers to wear protective helmets when skiing in New York State.
This bill comes on the heel of previous bills that are aimed at saving New Yorkers from themselves.
But that's not all, because people of the state are small children, Ortiz covered his bases by requiring ski resorts to make helmets available for rental and purchase as well as educational information regarding ski accident injury.
The recent death at Windham Mountain was responsible for reinvigorating Ortiz's conviction about this issue (and possibly providing political capital).
“This young woman’s death is one of many that could have been prevented by the use of a protective helmet. Her unfortunate death is a tragedy that should have never occurred. I am hopeful that my bill, A.1059, will pass during this 2011 legislative session,” stated Ortiz.
There is no indication whether Ortiz will push to eliminate downhill skiing for the much safer cross country skiing. Additionally, sledding is still legal in most of the state.
This bill comes on the heel of previous bills that are aimed at saving New Yorkers from themselves.
But that's not all, because people of the state are small children, Ortiz covered his bases by requiring ski resorts to make helmets available for rental and purchase as well as educational information regarding ski accident injury.
The recent death at Windham Mountain was responsible for reinvigorating Ortiz's conviction about this issue (and possibly providing political capital).
“This young woman’s death is one of many that could have been prevented by the use of a protective helmet. Her unfortunate death is a tragedy that should have never occurred. I am hopeful that my bill, A.1059, will pass during this 2011 legislative session,” stated Ortiz.
There is no indication whether Ortiz will push to eliminate downhill skiing for the much safer cross country skiing. Additionally, sledding is still legal in most of the state.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Felix's Nanny State
Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, D-Brooklyn, has introduced a series of bills that would help New York become the premier nanny state in the nation.
Ortiz's pursuit to protect people from themselves recently manifested itself in a FOUR LOKO awareness video, in which he pounded them with abandon until he vomited.
Now Ortiz has introduced a bill that would eliminate expiration dates on gift certificates (AB 1604), a bill that prohibits the advertisement of alcoholic beverages during television broadcasts of sporting events (AB 1607) and a bill that requires automobiles sold in this state with model year 2013 and thereafter to be equipped with a blind spot monitoring device (AB 1605).
I haven't scoured through all of his bills for this session, but I wouldn't be surprised if he has one that mandates flossing or one that prohibits beer from being served in glasses larger 6 oz.
Luckily for the freedom loving citizens of the Empire State, these proposals have never progressed in the past and are likely to go nowhere in the future.
I'm not sure what this says about Ortiz's political philosophy, but I definitely think he wouldn't describe himself as wanting to be "New York's cool dad."
Ortiz's pursuit to protect people from themselves recently manifested itself in a FOUR LOKO awareness video, in which he pounded them with abandon until he vomited.
Now Ortiz has introduced a bill that would eliminate expiration dates on gift certificates (AB 1604), a bill that prohibits the advertisement of alcoholic beverages during television broadcasts of sporting events (AB 1607) and a bill that requires automobiles sold in this state with model year 2013 and thereafter to be equipped with a blind spot monitoring device (AB 1605).
I haven't scoured through all of his bills for this session, but I wouldn't be surprised if he has one that mandates flossing or one that prohibits beer from being served in glasses larger 6 oz.
Luckily for the freedom loving citizens of the Empire State, these proposals have never progressed in the past and are likely to go nowhere in the future.
I'm not sure what this says about Ortiz's political philosophy, but I definitely think he wouldn't describe himself as wanting to be "New York's cool dad."
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