Senate OKs ban on ‘power hour’ drinking

"MN Senate"

05/18/2005

May 18, 2005
Associated Press


St. Paul—People turning 21 would have to wait eight hours before they could legally drink under a bill the Senate passed 48 to 15 that’s aimed at preventing binge drinking.

The legislation to combat the so-called “power hour,” between midnight and closing time on a person’s 21st birthday, was included as part of a Senate bill making a number of changes to regulations governing the liquor sales.

“This issue is real; we have had a number of young people die from alcohol poisoning under these circumstances,” said Sen. Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook.

Last year, 21-year-old Jason Reinhardt died of alcohol poisoning on his birthday after leaving a Moorhead bar with his fraternity brothers. His blood-alcohol content was 0.36 percent.

The North Dakota Legislature approved a similar provision earlier this year.

Opponents said the change would have little effect on young people who are determined to get drunk on their 21st birthday.

A companion bill has been moving through the House, and its sponsor, Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, said he expected it will be included in that body’s liquor omnibus bill.

Hoax threat

On the eve of a vote to reinstate a law allowing more people to carry guns in public, House members received e-mails threatening harassment and blackmail if they vote against the bill today.

“We will send people to your homes to harass you, and look in your windows,” said the message sent Tuesday. “If that does not work, we have information on you, and your family, and we will use it in any way shape or form to get our bill passed.”

Although the e-mail was sent to all 134 House members, the message seemed aimed at the 55 DFLers who have either voted against the bill in the past or are new to the House and don’t have a record on the issue.

Authorities said the message appeared to be a hoax, and leaders in the Republican-controlled House said they planned to bring the bill up for a vote despite the objections of some Democrats mentioned by name in the e-mail.

Associated Press