Nebraska "Last Call" debate

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:38 am

It'll never happen unless you organize.

Organize, lobby the key players, do press releases, get other sympathetic civic and business groups involved. Let people know why this is a good thing for the city. Shake people up. Get people off their a$$es. Counter the opposition. Raise money (it ain't that hard).

Omaha's been ruled by smug 'little old lady' groups for too long----it's on the verge of becoming a real city, with real city amenities. For all of you under 30 types, the city's future is up to you, and you have more power than I think you realize. Use it.

Change happens, but only if you work for it.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:43 pm

Absolutely.

And, contrary to some of you, I think it's just a matter of time before this is remedied. Especially after a big event like Omaha just experienced, where lots of of out of towners were literally like "what the |expletive|?"

Somehow, it seems like it really has a stigma in Omaha, but, as I think we can all see, a later last call is a HUGE issue in terms of the local economy and tourism dollars.

To me, there are some things that just make TOO much sense, and I can't understand why things aren't the way they should be, but that's how the status quo works...people just get used to things being the way they are and forget why they are that way in the first place.

For example, I think it makes TOO MUCH SENSE for there to be different types of liquor licenses with different last call times based on location, type of establishment, and market demand.

SarahEatsOmaha · Post by **SarahEatsOmaha** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:11 pm

Having gone to school in IA, being used to a 2pm closing time, 1pm does seem early. Also after living in Peoria, IL (4am) - 1am is almost laughable for a city like Omaha where there's plenty of fun (and revenue) to be had.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:25 pm

Matt Perrault asked the Mayor about the closing time and all he would say is "That's a State Law".

Contact your state representatives on this. May be with all the "New Blood" coming in next session, it could be a good time to peruse it.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:29 pm

I'll tell you what... there are many a next morning I'm glad the bars DID close at 1 AM. :barf:

But yea... why can't a bar or restaurant pay an extra $5000K/yr for the extra two hours a night, and the proceeds of the license go to local law enforcement? If you're open five days a week x 52 weeks = 260 nights x 2 hours = 520 hours. $5000 / 520 hours = $9.62 profit needed per extra hour to cover your new license.

Think the Omaha PoPo would turn down a $5 million influx if 100 bars extended their hours?

-Big E

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:08 pm

Brad wrote:Matt Perrault asked the Mayor about the closing time and all he would say is "That's a State Law".

Contact your state representatives on this. May be with all the "New Blood" coming in next session, it could be a good time to peruse it.

Right! It was nice to hear Matt bring this up, but hearing Fahey shrug it off and Matt not pursue the topic was disappointing. I suspect Fahey doesn't want to push the controversy envelope any further currently. However, maybe if it were approached from a streetcar funding influx, the topic would be a little warmer.

I contacted the YPC on this, as a group is more influential than a random citizen x e-mailing his/her state rep. (but by all means contact your state rep!).

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:27 pm

Can someone post the email addresses of all the state reps on here so we could email them?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:37 pm

Swift wrote:Can someone post the email addresses of all the state reps on here so we could email them?

E-mail your Senator

DonutStopLover · Post by **DonutStopLover** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:42 pm

anything new on this???

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:08 pm

When I first saw this thread subject I thought it was about that TV ad Hillary Clinton was running!

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:04 am

My guess is Hillary would support a 3 AM last call:

-Big E

10thstgoober · Post by **10thstgoober** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:25 pm

ublished Monday February 2, 2009
Bill would make closing time 2 a.m.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Closing time at Nebraska bars could be pushed back an hour to 2 a.m.

On Monday, a legislative committee held a hearing on a bill, LB26, by Sen. Kent Rogert of Tekamah that would also make 2 a.m. the cut-off for beer and liquor to be sold in retail stores.

Currently, the latest closing time for both bars and stores allowed under state law is 1 a.m. But cities have flexibility — they can have earlier closing times if they wish.

Rogert says the 1 a.m. closing time is another unnecessary cause of people leaving the state for surrounding ones, like Iowa, to spend their money.

The executive director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission says that making the change to 2 a.m. probably wouldn’t cause a problem for the state.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10553820

FINALLY! I wonder if it'll have the votes?

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:28 pm

That would be nice. Here's hoping.

Bosco55David · Post by **Bosco55David** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:25 pm

the1wags wrote:That would be nice. Here's hoping.

Amen.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:27 pm

Hoping isn't enough with this legislature... I HIGHLY recommend you send an email to as many representatives as you care to cut and paste.

http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/sena ... r_list.php

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:32 pm

I still can't believe that closing time is 1 a.m.

Please let this happen!

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:33 pm

Ah man.......... this will mean another hour without D'Shawn.

Although maybe an hour more of booze will make his later night posts more entertaining.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:38 am

every year this is proposed, and every year we let the last hour worth of income float over the river because some old lady with "project negative 10 miles" gets her face all over the TV bitching abut it...

My biggest complaint is that the convention and tourism group is not supporting it.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:28 am

Axel wrote:Ah man.......... this will mean another hour without D'Shawn. Although maybe an hour more of booze will make his later night posts more entertaining.

You assume I stop drinking at 1am.

Bosco55David · Post by **Bosco55David** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:37 am

DTO Luv wrote:
Axel wrote:Ah man.......... this will mean another hour without D'Shawn. Although maybe an hour more of booze will make his later night posts more entertaining.
You assume I stop drinking at 1am.

I can already tell I'm gonna have a blast when I get back to Omaha. :lol:

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:55 am

Oh man...i'm embarrassed that there are people like that still alive. Straight out of foot loose? I think that town was 10x more liberal than the whackos commenting on that board.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:57 am

" People fly to Nevada to find legal prostitutes too. Maybe we should legalize prostitution so we can get that revenue? "

Give me a |expletive| break.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:01 am

I love how they paint everyone that wants this law to pass as a drunk.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:08 am

I was shocked to hear that Minnesota just recently moved closing time to 2am from 1am. Is that right?? (according to a visiting Minnesotan interviewed on a local news channel last night)

If that's the case... heck, I'd say we've got another 50+ years of backasswardness to go yet.

guitarguy · Post by **guitarguy** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:52 pm

as optimistic as i am of this passing because i honestly dont see why it would matter if the bars were open later.. i dont think this will get passed because we have way to many people here who think alcohol is the root of all evil :/

Bugeater · Post by **Bugeater** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:57 pm

I fail to see a downside to this.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:30 pm

Bugeater wrote:I fail to see a downside to this.

Thus proving that you don't post to the Lincoln Journal web site.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:25 pm

Come on this state cannot be as conservative as we all say. It couldn't be that hard to change it to something later. I mean 2! still seams early to other places around the country.
Personally I have gotten used to finding after-hours parties. And have plenty of good memories running the streets all night. There are certain things you can do at a flop house that you just cant do at even the coolest bars.
Still I would be for the change I dream of maybe 4 or 5 but until then I guess me and my late night brethren will keep the shenanigans up.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:46 pm

I was watching Kaleidoscope yesterday which I rarely do, but they were talking about this and everyone on the board was for the new bill except (of course) Lee Terry Sr, using the same old talking points that it will cause more drunks driving around on the streets :roll: . This is not a good argument, here are a couple reasons why I believe this bill should be passed.

-A majority of people will start going out later. In cities where bars are open later, people don't end up going out to the bars until 11 or 12 or later. Here it seems like there is always a rush to get ready and get out early to enjoy a few hours at the bar. I remember going out at 10 once and a friend from out of town thought we were crazy for going out so early.

-I am sick and tired of hearing tourists, whether its CWS or olympic swimming, complain that the bars close so early. I feel almost embarrassed we still have not enacted a later last call. From an economic standpoint it would be beneficial in not only encouraging more people to go out, but also stay in the state and spend their money here.

-There will always be people out driving drunk no matter what time bars stop serving. Logically speaking, there should be less motorists on the streets at 2am possibly reducing the number of accidents and injuries to drivers.

-The preventative measures to curb drinking should start with the outlets that sell alcohol. Keeping an early last call is an ineffective way of controlling alcohol. The problem is these liquor stores that are popping up all over neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. It seems like everytime I drive around I see a new "Tobacco, phones, and liquor" store. Limiting these business is a better way I believe to cut down on alcohol violations.

If this bill doesnt pass I believe other actions need to be taken. Its about time Omaha takes care of its own interests and not succumb to the ideologies of other parts of the state. It is encouraging to see this bill was introduced by a senator from Tekamah and not Omaha. It will be interesting to see who votes for and against this and if it ends up being an urban vs rural thing like we often see.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:10 pm

Great points, Mike.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:19 pm

I actually think by putting drunk drivers on the street another hour later into the night... you're reducing the odds of them crossing paths with teenagers racing to get home (who may or may not be drunk themselves)... and others who are driving home at a more reasonable time.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:27 pm

What is this "drive home at a reasonable time" you speak of?

The Tecamah senator even said that this bill was mostly to keep as many people in Omaha from going to CB as possible. It amazes me that we lose so much money to IA but we don't do anything to take it back because there is always some perceived moral dilemma to it (i.e. 2am last call, casinos). Just put in a toll road on all of the bridges over to Iowa and see how many people stop going over there and how many of them still have to come over here.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:29 pm

We were talking about last call at work last night. The bartender and I both said we would quit if they moved it back another hour. We both work "Professional" jobs during the week and getting home at 2:30 is hard enough, I can't imagine if it were 3:30...

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:31 pm

Boohoo.

Plus wouldn't it be up to the bar? You don't HAVE to stay open that late, you just have the option to. Plus if you quit you could get our |expletive| DT more often.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:41 pm

I am not saying I don't support it... Its good for you kids...

I would have to just prioritize and the 3rd job at the bar would loose out as the other two are more important to me.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:43 pm

Kids? I'm a grown |expletive| man.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:08 am

Bar bill stalls; closing time to remain 1 a.m.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10560209

Omaha World-Herald wrote:LINCOLN (AP) — Nebraskans will continue to be pushed off their bar stools at 1 a.m.

A bill (LB262) that would have pushed back the cutoff time for beer and liquor sales to 2 a.m. didn’t win support from a legislative committee Monday, so it won’t be considered by the full Legislature.

Under current law, the latest sales cutoff time for both bars and stores is 1 a.m. But cities can mandate earlier cutoff times if they wish.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:34 am

:grr: :evil:

ShawJ · Post by **ShawJ** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:01 pm

I figured. :roll:

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:10 pm

Is anyone else down for seceding the state and hooking up with Iowa?