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Committee clears bill to let Sherwood annexed-area residents vote on beer and wine sales
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Summary
Senate Bill 201, presented by Sen. Jane English, would allow Sherwood to hold a local election in an annexed area on whether to permit beer and wine sales. Supporters said the change addresses a local food desert and economic development; the committee passed the measure following public testimony and a motion for immediate consideration.
Senate Bill 201, sponsored by Senator Jane English (District 13), would allow the city of Sherwood to hold an election in a designated annexed area to determine whether beer and wine sales would be permitted there.
English said the bill was amended to address concerns heard at an earlier hearing and to allow the local option vote she and local leaders requested. She said the community had held a public hearing with no opposition and ran three online polls that showed roughly 90% approval for allowing the vote in the annexed area. English emphasized that only residents in the annexed area would be eligible to vote, and she described the change as local control that would enable residents to decide whether the area remains dry or allows alcohol sales.
Doris Anderson, a Sherwood resident, testified the northern part of the city lacks a nearby grocery store and described the area as a food desert; Anderson said allowing beer and wine sales could attract grocery retailers that require the ability to sell alcohol. Mayor Mary Jo Hightownsville urged the committee to approve the bill, saying the current rule stymies economic development and that some earlier opposition overstated competition concerns. Hightownsville said the city's map and voter demographics showed that a standard petition route was not feasible for the annexed area; the amended bill would allow a local vote instead.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about who would be eligible to vote (English and the mayor confirmed only annexed-area residents) and about the petition process. A senator called for immediate consideration; the motion passed and the committee approved the bill by voice vote.
