Full board hears MTA finances are strong
When the Montana Tavern Association Executive Board gathered at Jorgenson's in Helena Jan. 27, they were met strait away with good news: the organization's budget was on track, with 51 percent of projected expenses having been met in the first six months of it's fiscal year, and 94 percent of the year's projected revenues collected.
MTA Executive Director Diana Koon gave the budget report, adding that the committee had decided to endorse RBS WorldPay as the MTA preferred provider of credit card services. She said the company had agreed to offer MTA members discounts and the organization a small percentage of proceeds.
Koon also told the board that heavy snow and rapid melt in mid-winter had caused some "minimal" damage to the interior of the MTA headquarters building on Montana Street in Helena, but that repairs were underway.
Public relations
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Tanya Harper
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As chairman of the Public Relation Committee, Tanya Harper gave the next report (see detailed account elsewhere in this edition). Her group had met earlier in the day and had solidified plans and promotions for the annual MTA fund raiser raffle conducted in conjunction with the MTA convention in September. They were shooting for expanded production and distribution of promotional posters and more thorough distribution of tickets.
Harper also said her committee was recommending the board agree to a $5,000 donation to the Montana Meth Project, conditional upon the project demonstrating conservative fiscal practices in terms of administrative and fund raising expenses. The board approved and representatives of local tavern chapters were asked to solicit more funding at the local level.
Last year MTA and its local affiliates contributed close to $15,000 to the Meth Project.
Legislative and gambling
MTA Government Affairs Counsel Mark Staples was called upon to deliver the Legislative and Gambling Committee report in the absence of Chairman Pat Kelly. (See a detailed account on the committee meeting elsewhere in this edition, as well as a detailed and more up-to-date legislative report).
Staples told the board, "This report may take some time, but this is what we're all about so we need to take the time it takes. The vast majority of legislative issues this time are about licensing and it always seems to be.
"We're doing pretty well, for now. It's helpful that Gov. Brian Schweitzer has said 'no' to any new taxes, but it doesn't mean attempts won't come," he said.
Staples and the board spent almost the next two hours covering legislation introduced or waiting in the wings including:
A proposed bill that was cancelled that would have limited the amount of checks patrons can write at casinos, a bill (brought by one man who doesn't even own a store) to allow "agency" liquor stores to locate "adjacent" to grocery stores, a bill requiring server training in exchange for reducing penalties against licenses and a bill to allow businesses with beer and wine licenses to serve fortified wines which would include sherries, ports and possibly some cordials.
Also discussed were bills to allow "tastings" at off-premise licensed locations, a potential bill to raise gambling tax rates to fund child health insurance, bills proposing local option sales taxes that inevitably target alcohol by the drink, prepared meals and accommodations and a bill to allow Montana brewers to produce and sell strong beers up to 14 percent alcohol by volume.
In addition, the group covered bills to clarify independent contractor statutes as the law applies to entertainers, a proposed alcohol tax increase to fund scholarships and a bill to allow limited crediting of tip income toward fulfillment of minimum wage obligations.
National report
Next, Darrell Keck gave the "national report." Keck is the MTA designate to the American Beverage Licensees, the MTA's national counterpart.
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Darrell Keck
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Keck said ABL was part of the increasing support for expansion of "DUI courts" to more effectively deal with repeat offenders as opposed to incarceration. He also said some advocacy groups are pushing for higher federal alcohol taxation as a purported means to lower under-age drinking, which ABL would oppose.
He said ABL remains heavily involved in ressisting mandatory and universal ignition interlock systems that could prevent anyone who has consumed any amount of alcohol from starting their car. The cost of the technology is substantial and would unreasonably burden auto makers at a time when sales are already crashing, Keck said, adding it would virtually end the on-premise business.
Keck said the ABL convention was taking place at the Monte Carlo resort in Las Vegas again this year, March 1-3, but would be conducted at a different Las Vegas venue in 2010, though still in conjunction with the Nightclub and Bar trade show.
Gaming Advisory Council
Steve Morris gave a report on the proceedings of the Gaming Advisory Council (GAC), on which he represents the MTA.
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Steve Morris
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He said a bill to correct the "negative gaming tax," effectively paid when a machine loses money during a reporting period, had been withdrawn by the sponsor at the request of the GAC, given the new fiscal reality facing the Legislature. He said any bill with a fiscal note (which documents a projected cost to the state general fund) had virtually no chance.
He said another "clean-up" bill that came out of the GAC and had passed quickly through the Senate, sponsored by Sen. Joe Tropila (D-Great Falls), would clarify cardroom contractor laws, prohibit the use of credit cards to obtain cash advances for gambling, would make provisions for licensing of gaming "associated businesses" such as software accounting package providers and would make minor changes to bingo card formats.
Morris said the bill would be shepherded through the House by Rep. Mark Blasdel (R-Somers), who also sits on the GAC.
He said the GAC had also worked closely with the Gambling Control Division to formulate new rules which allow for the use of thermal printers and USB memory devices in new-generation gaming machines, which concurrently called for a reduction in record keeping requirements.
2009 convention
Sandy Jones next took the podium to report that the Missoula County Tavern Owners Association was plowing ahead with planning for the 2009 MTA convention to be conducted in Missoula Sept. 21-24 at the new Hilton Garden Inn. "Everything is on track and we have lots of help," she said.
Executive report
Koon gave the executive director's report, which was largely presented in written form. It addressed the availability of MTA's computerized "preference list" for tracking legislation of import to members and elaborated on the RBS WorldPay check and credit card processing endorsed by MTA.
The report also reminded members that MTA offers an on-line TIPS server training course, has a merchandise store offered on-line through ABL, has a benefit package for ATMs provided in cooperation with the ABL through the ATM Network, can provide "We Card" materials and can assist with designated driver program promotional materials.
Koon's report showed MTA had 743 regular members, 196 Gold Star members, 47 associate members and one corporate sponsor.
Under "new business," Jupe Compton reminded members that the Hi-Line Tavern Association was hosting its annual charity dinner Feb. 10, and Cal McOmber announced the Ravalli County TA was hosting a similar dinner Feb. 21 (see report on the Hi-Line event in this issue and the Ravalli dinner next month).
With that, Staples reminded folks to be on time for the MTA Legislative Reception conducted later that evening. He said all members had to be was their usual "charming, friendly and hospitable selves" and to make a point of reconnecting with local lawmakers.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, March 2009, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W Granite, Suite 102, Butte MT. 59701