Our Opinion: Proposal chills trust in government

News Tribune editorial

In the waning days of the legislative session that ended Friday, Missouri lawmakers found time to create unnecessary mischief.

We refer to a measure allowing breweries to lease coolers in grocery stores and other establishments that sell beer. On a 94-59 vote, the House sent the bill - previously approved by an 18-14 Senate vote - to Gov. Jay Nixon.

Proponents say the law will help brewers, retailers and consumers because more coolers offer more cold beer for sale.

Opponents - including smaller, craft brewers - argue the law puts them at a competitive disadvantage with major breweries that are better positioned to afford and maintain the coolers.

We agree with the opponents.

Legislation frequently deals with economic development and fair competition, but this measure promotes neither. Instead, it rewards major brewers - including campaign donors - at the expense of small business.

The bill's Senate sponsor, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, has acknowledged he was approached by Anheuser-Busch about the cooler proposal. Last year, the brewery donated $15,000 to Schmitt's campaign for state treasurer.

The contention by proponents that the law will help the brewing industry is disingenuous, because it would help only a segment of the industry.

Jeff Schrag, president of the Missouri Small Brewer's Guild, has said: "We are basically giving Goliath more weapons to fight David. Goliath doesn't need more weapons."

In this forum on March 8, we pointed to the beer cooler proposal as an example of why people are losing faith in government.

When lawmakers brazenly act to reward campaign donors at the expense of smaller, start-up competitors, they exacerbate voter disappointment and mistrust.

The beer cooler bill may not be among the most important proposals to be decided this session, but it is among the most damaging to people's trust in government.

We urge the governor to reject lawmakers' self-serving action.