State Senator Shea Flinn, trying to break new legislative ground despite owning only an interim appointment, is being undermined in his effort to legalize liquor sales on Sunday in Tennessee. The culprits? “Golden Goose” Tom Hensley and other traditional spokesmen for the booze industry on Capitol Hill.
Nashville lobbyist Sean Braisted reports that Hensley and Jack Hooper, chairman and CEO of Tennessee Wine & Spirits, are actively resisting passage of the measure, which would also liberalize Tennessee statutes regarding the everyday sale of beer, wine, and liquor — expanding the eligible venues for each.
Flinn was appointed by the Shelby County Commission late last year to occupy the Senate seat of Steve Cohen, now a U.S. congressman, and will serve until either Democrat Beverly Marrero or Republican Larry Parrish is elected in next month’s special election.
