FLIP-FLOPPING GOP SENATORS SUSTAIN VETO OF CHEATER PINTS BILL

Consumer protection bill would have ensured “If you pay for a pint, you get a pint”

AUGUSTA – In a party-line vote of 14 – 20, Maine Senate Republicans sustained Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a measure that sought to standardize the amount of beer sold as a “pint.”

Sen. John Patrick of Rumford

The bill, LD 122, “An Act To Standardize Pints of Beer Sold in Maine,” was passed with support by all three Senators on the state’s Veterans and Legal Affairs committee, including Republican Senators Cyrway and Collins–both of whom both flipped their original vote in order to support the governor’s veto.

“I guess Senate Republicans decided to vote against a good consumer protections bill,” said Democratic State Senator John Patrick of Rumford, the sponsor of the measure. “The truth is when I buy 10 gallons of gas, I know I’m getting 10 gallons and not nine. The law protects me from being cheated. The same should be true for a pint of beer. If I’m going to pay $5 for a pint of beer, I want to know that I’m getting the full 16 ounces of beer–not a cheater pint of 14 ounces.”

The bill, as amended in committee, clarified that the law is only applicable when the beer seller represents in written form to patrons that they are selling beer by the pint. It also directs liquor inspectors to add this enforcement to a punch list of things to review when on-site.

Since the veto was sustained, the bill is now dead and no further action will be taken.

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