Long-Time Public Safety Official Brings More Than 35 Years of Experience to Foundation

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) is pleased to announce former police chief Jerry Oliver as the newest member of the CAP Advisory Council.  As part of the Council, Oliver will work with fellow advisors and the foundation’s trustees to direct the work of the Center and provide advice and counsel about a variety of issues related to alcohol policy.

Oliver brings more than 35 years of experience in the public service and law enforcement sectors.  In his many years of service, Oliver has served as the Assistant Chief of Police in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona; the Director of Drug Policy in Memphis, Tennessee; and Chief of Police in three cities: Pasadena, California; Richmond, Virginia; and Detroit, Michigan.

In 2006, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano appointed Oliver as Director of the Department of Liquor License and Control which is responsible for nearly 11,000 licensees.

“Jerry Oliver has been on the front lines of public service in local communities around the country.  He has personally seen the important role alcohol regulation plays – both as a law enforcement officer on the streets and as a state alcohol regulator,” said CAP Advisory Council Chairman Jim Petro, who is the former attorney general of Ohio.  “All of us on the Advisory Council look forward to working with Jerry and learning from his invaluable experiences.”

As a member of the CAP Advisory Council, Oliver will join Petro, Jim Hall (former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman) and Brannon Denning (law professor at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law).

“I am honored to be joining such a respected group of individuals on the CAP Advisory Council.  I hope my years as a police chief and alcohol regulator will bring a new dimension to the discussion and to the CAP’s projects,” said Oliver.

Oliver completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (Public Finance), both from Arizona State University.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

2010 Topic:  “Describe how state-based regulation of alcoholic beverages promotes public health and safety.”

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Center for Alcohol Policy is pleased to announce the launch of its third annual national essay contest.  The contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of the effects of state alcohol regulation.

The theme of this year’s contest is: “Describe how state-based regulation of alcoholic beverage promotes public health and safety.”

The top three winning entrants will receive prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

“For more than 75 years, alcohol has been effectively regulated in the United States by a state regulatory system guaranteed by the 21^st Amendment,” said CAP Advisory Council member and Cumberland School of Law Professor Brannon Denning. “This year’s essay contest is intended to highlight and explore the impact of state alcohol regulation on society and its role in protecting Americans in today’s environment.”

The deadline for submission is November 22, 2010, and winners will be announced in 2011.

For entry rules, essay guidelines and last year’s winning essays, please click here.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Essay Contest has expanded on the success of last year’s inaugural contest with entries from California to Connecticut and several other countries as well.  The deadline for submissions was November 18.

The Essay Contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation.  The theme of this year’s contest was: “State regulation of alcohol is important because…”  The essays could focus on any aspect of state alcohol regulation including legal analysis, law enforcement perspective, tax collection, public health and other relevant topics.

“For more than 75 years, alcohol has been effectively regulated in the U.S. by a state-based system of alcohol controls provided by the 21^st Amendment,” said CAP Advisory Council member and Cumberland School of Law Professor Brannon Denning. “This year’s essay contest offers a unique opportunity to address the impact of state alcohol regulation on society and its role in protecting Americans in today’s environment.”

Alcohol is the only article of commerce subject to two constitutional amendments.  As society addresses problems like alcohol abuse including underage drinking and drunk driving, the debate about maintaining effective alcohol regulation is critical.  The Center for Alcohol Policy seeks to raise public awareness about the unique qualities and regulations of alcohol.

The top three winning entries will receive prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

For essay contest rules, guidelines and last year’s winning essays, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

CHICAGO, IL – The Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium continued today at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, with a focus on U.S. alcohol regulation and litigation issues.

The day began with a panel discussion titled, “Globalization and a U.S. Constitutional Amendment: The Future of Alcohol Laws in the United States.”  The session focused on the effects of the increasing globalization of the alcohol business and the changes that might be in store for U.S. alcohol regulation.  Panel speakers included moderator Jeremiah McWilliams of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Anoop Bhasin of the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration; Pam Erickson of Public Action Management, PLC; Kelly Grebe of MillerCoors; and Michele Simon of the Marin Institute.  These participants shared lessons learned from overseas alcohol regulation and talked about future trends and challenges on the horizon.

A review of 21st Amendment cases in the U.S. highlighted the many active types of litigation against a state’s ability to regulate alcohol.   Many of the problems associated with Dormant Commerce Clause or antitrust challenges to state alcohol regulation remain unsettled.

The Symposium concluded with a session that focused on common legal issues currently facing operators of alcohol companies.

More details on speakers, education session topics and the full Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

CHICAGO, IL – Today the Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium kicked off its first full day at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

Attendees were welcomed with remarks by CAP Advisory Council Chair and former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro.  “A state’s ability to regulate alcohol is being challenged in several states, so this gathering is a good opportunity for regulators, public health advocates, elected leaders and industry insiders to come together to share insight and ideas,” said Petro.

The day continued with insightful panels by current and former alcohol regulators, prominent alcohol law attorneys, a professor of alcoholic beverage law and public health advocates.  The panel sessions focused on the following topics:

•         Liquor Liability Laws: Pros, Cons and Recent Developments
•         Public Health Aspects of Alcohol Regulation
•         Supplier Contracts: Implications for State Alcohol Laws
•         What is the Fosdick and Scott Report and Why is it Important?
•         Defending State Liquor Laws Under the 21st Amendment: A State Perspective
•         Trade Practice Laws: A State and Federal Perspective

Nebraska Attorney General and National Association of Attorneys General President Jon Bruning delivered a keynote address on the role of the attorney general in upholding state-based alcohol regulation under the 21st Amendment.  “I applaud the Center for Alcohol Policy for bringing divergent parties such as industry insiders, public health regulators and attorney generals to discuss issues of alcohol policy,” said Bruning.

The Second Annual CAP Alcohol Law Symposium continues Tuesday, October 20.  More details on speakers, education session topics and the full Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org