State Supreme Court rules wine petition can proceed
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=336&articleid=20120628_336_0_OKLAHO10971By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 6/28/2012 3:54 PM
Last Modified: 6/28/2012 3:54 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that an initiative petition seeking a vote on a plan to let some grocery stores sell wine can proceed.
The ruling came following a legal challenge brought by Oklahoma City convenience store owner Yousef Javadzadeh and anti-addition groups.
Supporters must collect about 155,000 votes to get the issue on the ballot.
"I would say we are quite pleased," said Brian Howe, director of Oklahomans for Modern Laws, which plans to circulate the petition. "We are looking forward to moving forward with the petition drive."
He said it is unlikely the petition process can be completed to get the issue on the Nov. 6 statewide ballot. If that can't be accomplished, the measure will be on the 2014 ballot, if enough signatures are gathered and approved, he said.
If approved by voters, State Question 763 would let counties of at least 50,000 people consider a limited expansion of retail wine sales. The expansion would require approval by voters in the county.
If approved, grocery stores and warehouse clubs with at least 25,000 square feet of floor space would be allowed to sell wine.