Lake Highlands Today has learned that a coalition of local residents, businesses and community leaders has been formed and will likely proceed with an attempt to get a local alcohol option election on this year's fall ballot.

The coalition known as “Progress Dallas” is considering two referendums to call for an election this November.

Look for a city-wide election to be called if the group can collect enough signatures, as required by House Bill 1199 enacted back in 2003.

Progress Dallas recently retained a top political consulting firm, Texas Petition Strategies, to help conduct the local option alcohol elections. Since 2003, TPS has conducted nearly 200 proposition efforts with an overall 85% approval rating.

LH Today talked with John Hatch and Sissy Day, who founded TPS in 2003, in order to learn more about Progress Dallas, as well as the complicated issue of a city wide local option election.

“One proposition being considered is to allow a vote for the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only,” says Hatch. “This will only allow beer and wine sales in grocery and convenience stores but will not allow package liquor sales.”

“The second proposition would be for the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only,” Hatch explains.

“This will allow state recognized restaurants to serve alcohol without requiring the private club memberships. This will not allow stand alone bars or nightclubs, however.”

“We are pleased to be working with Progress Dallas to study the possibility of having all parts of Dallas under one common set of rules concerning alcohol sales and thus eliminate burdensome red tape for restaurants,” adds Day.

To date, in the nine counties that comprise the DFW metroplex, there have been a total of 191 petitions circulated for local alcohol option elections, with nearly 70% of those efforts passing.

Texas Petition Strategies has been retained in nearly half of those efforts. Readers can click here to learn more about the specific elections in which TPS has assisted.

Many of the largest names in the grocery industry are represented in Progress Dallas, including Kroger.

Gary Huddleston, Director of Consumer Affairs for the grocery store chain, explains the logic behind Kroger’s position on the issue.

“Many customers have requested the convenience of being able to purchase beer and wine at the supermarket,” says Huddleston.

“Currently within the Dallas city limits we have some supermarkets legally selling beer and wine, while many other stores are not allowed to do the same. In many cases this causes confusion."

“Also, as we look at future locations for new stores, the ability to sell beer and wine is a factor in our decision," he says.

"Having beer and wine in a supermarket provides for a sales increase for those products, in addition to other products within the store."

"As we grow our sales, we hire more associates. As we grow our sales, more tax revenue is also generated.”

Another key member of Progress Dallas is the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association.

LH Today talked with Jamee Jolly, Executive Director of GDRA, to discuss the challenges facing her members who, under current state regulations, must operate by definition as private clubs.