2018 Best Practices Awards

BEST STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH Minnesota SMART Program

BY ANDREW MADIGAN

Alcohol regulation is a hot-button issue throughout

Minnesota . The SMART campaign is a platform for coalition groups and members to voice their concerns to state legislators and to inform the public about the relevant issues . In this effort , the SMART team has accomplished quite a lot in just a few short years . They sent thousands of emails and made numerous phone calls to state politicians encouraging them to join the cause . Specifically , the coalition is against Sunday alcohol sales and the sale of wine and full-strength beer ( more than 3.2 % ABV ) in groceries and convenience stores . They also want to maintain the current state regulations governing alcohol licensing and sales .

The campaign has been exceptionally busy . Coalition members have been actively monitoring media coverage of the alcohol industry , responding to media inquires , drafting press releases , placing opinion pieces in periodicals such as the Star Tribune and training spokesperson to address both the media and legislative assemblies .

With over 2,000 local advocates and 50 community meetings held in targeted legislative districts , the SMART team has organized “ Day at the Capitol ” events , membership drives , facility tours and other activities . They ’ ve also designed and launched a dedicated website , made brochures and engaged in direct mail canvassing .

Bars , package stores , restaurants , breweries , distributors , grocers and government officials all have their own interests . The SMART campaign has skillfully negotiated this difficult terrain and their achievements have been profound , he says .

“ We have also been able to maintain the integrity of a liquor store license so that alcohol may only be sold for off-sale from liquor stores ,” says Joseph Bagnoli , the coalition ’ s lobbyist . “ We believe that the consumer benefits from this system , as Minnesota consumers have better selection and pricing than in other states .”

There are exceptions to these off-sale regulations . In fact , the coalition has helped ensure that small business-owners , such as craft brewers , can sell their products directly to customers without negatively affecting the business of bars , restaurants and other alcohol vendors . In other words — everyone wins .

“ The SMART campaign has skillfully negotiated this difficult terrain and their achievements have been profound .”

– JOSEPH BAGNOLI , COALITION LOBBYIST

What does the future hold for the program ? According to Bagnoli , there are still many more challenges ahead . In Minnesota , grocers , convenience stores and other shops are permitted to sell alcohol , and approximately 140 retailers are doing so . State laws dictate that they must adhere to the same guidelines as traditional package stores . However , some groups want to rewrite the legislation .

“ What grocery stores want ,” Mr . Bagnoli says , “ is a special law that will change this . The change would allow them to stock alcohol on the same aisles as other groceries and would also allow them to open as many stores in a city as they would like .”

Paul Kaspszak , Director of the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association , is another active member of the SMART campaign .

“ The coalition represents the common concerns of each participant and presents a unified front to both friends and foes ,” he says . “ There is strength in numbers and our ability to effect change is greatly increased when we work together .” •

20 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2018