Posted on 01/06/2006 6:41:56 AM PST by Theodore R.
Open-container law boost up again
By Ilene Olson rep3@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE - Senate File 36 is an old friend, Sen. Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne, said Thursday.
The bill, which would prohibit open containers of alcoholic beverages in any moving vehicle, is Ross' fourth attempt to strengthen the state's open-container law.
"My old favorite," he said. "I'm just not going to give up. I'm going to keep pressing because it's the right thing to do."
The state's current open-container law, passed in 2002, prohibits only the driver of a vehicle from having an open container of alcohol.
Wyoming is one of 11 states that don't have laws prohibiting possession of open containers by passengers.
Ross and Rep. Becket Hinckley, R-Cheyenne, are co-sponsors of the bill.
Ross said similar bills passed the House of Representatives two years in a row, only to be defeated in the Senate.
Then, last year, the Senate passed the bill first, after which it went to the House. There, amendments changed it so much before the House passed it that the bill died with representatives and senators deadlocked over which version should become law, he said.
The bill faces an uphill battle in the 2006 budget session, as it must get a two-thirds majority vote even to be considered by the Senate. If it passes three readings in the Senate, it also must get a two-thirds majority for introduction into the House.
Ross noted that one of the main points of contention last year was the lack of a provision for recreational vehicles in the original bill.
Senate File 36 addresses that by requiring open containers in RVs to be locked up in cabinets or compartments.
"I'm hoping that will appease the naysayers in the House," Ross said. "The same players are there. Maybe this fix will work."
Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, voted against the bill and two compromise attempts last year.
"I had six calls against and only one in favor (of the bill)," Zwonitzer said. "I guess that was my reason, though I think probably more of my constituency - the silent majority - would support it. I guess unless I hear from more people in favor of it this year, I would have to vote against it again.
"I don't think it's going to get the two-thirds to get introduced," he added. "I think we have a libertarian streak in our legislature that isn't ready to deal with that issue yet. There are strong feelings, especially in the western part of the state, against it. I don't think much has changed last year."
But, he added, "I guess I'm glad Tony Ross is still fighting for it. I think it probably will have a greater likelihood to be passed in 2007."
Ross said he will continue the fight.
"It's long overdue," he said. "Let's just say I'm tenacious."
Is this a law that is needed, or just wanted?
"I had six calls against and only one in favor (of the bill)," Zwonitzer said. "I guess that was my reason, though I think probably more of my constituency - the silent majority - would support it. I guess unless I hear from more people in favor of it this year, I would have to vote against it again.
A representative who listens to their constituents? How refreshing, right or not on the issue.
I live in Wyoming and we have gotten by for years without this law. From my perspective it is unneeded and unwanted. It is just another infringement on freedom. A few decades ago, people here used to measure distance in 6-packs of beer consumed while driving but that culture has largely disappeared although we occasionally joke about it. We have some drunk drivers on the road like everywhere else but this law is not going to stop them. Alcoholic beverages do get consumed legally by passengers on the road and I don't see why it is a problem as long as it is not the driver. The University of Wyoming is 300+ miles from my town. There are a lot of UW graduates and Cowboys fans here and it is common for a group of people to make a road trip to see a football or basketball game. As long as a designated driver remains sober, nobody is harmed if the rest of the passengers drink some beer. I don't see how this law will improve anything. When a law enforcement officer makes a traffic stop they already have the right to administer a roadside sobriety test and a Breathalyzer test. The driver is either under the influence or not and whether or not there is an open bottle of liquor in the car is irrelevant. These politicians are just a couple of liberal busy bodies who think they know what is best for us common people and because they knew they couldn't get elected in Wyoming as Democrats, they pretended like they were Republicans. That is an increasingly common problem here because the voters don't pay attention.
Drinking on long road trips really makes them more fun! .. as long as the driver isn't drinking.
Interesting explanation, but note that the WY House approves this bill repeatedly, perhaps knowing that it will be blocked in the WY Senate??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.