Proposal friendly to Budweiser awaits action by Gov. Schwarzenegger

By Edwin Garcia

"A bill that would allow Budweiser to distribute free T-shirts to adults in California is being protested by small breweries and anti-alcohol advocates who fear the measure would give the King of Beers an unfair business advantage and encourage underage drinking..."

"Anheuser-Busch has complained for years that the monetary limit prevents the giant company from giving away more than key chains and can openers at marketing events. The proposed law, which has cleared the Legislature and is now on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, would up the limit to $3. The higher amount, a company spokesman said, would allow Budweiser to hand out T-shirts and baseball caps."

"California's alcohol laws allow the makers of distilled spirits to give promotional items worth $5..."

"Officials at the Marin Institute, an alcohol industry watchdog, fear that if the law passes, underage youths would be further exposed to beer marketing. 'It's designed to burn beer and alcohol brand names permanently into the developing brains of youth,' said Michael Scippa, the institute's advocacy director..."

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