Heated Senate hearing on bill to allow grocery chains to sell beer and wine draws statewide business and public‑health testimony

Senator Corey McCray introduced Senate Bill 8-24 on Feb. 21, a statewide proposal to allow grocery and chain food retailers to sell beer and wine in Maryland. The Finance Committee heard extensive testimony for and against the measure over multiple hours.

Proponents said the bill would modernize state rules, expand consumer choice and generate jobs and tax revenue. Kaylee Locklear of the Maryland Retailers Alliance told the committee that large majorities of Maryland consumers favor the change and cited an updated economic analysis estimating increased retail sales and new jobs: "Based on updated analysis, opening this up all the way... would result in 754 net additional retail jobs and $31,600,000 in increased tax revenues," Locklear said, summarizing a report submitted with her testimony.

Union and grocery representatives said the change would create more and steadier work at unionized grocery stores. Kayla Mok of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400 said allowing beer and wine sales would…