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Wal-Mart sues to overturn Texas liquor sales law- is the auto dealer cartel next?

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TexasEV

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2013
7,656
8,941
Austin, TX
From today's Austin American-Statesman:
Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer and the biggest private sector employer in Texas, filed a lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Austin seeking the right to sell hard alcohol at package stores adjacent to existing Wal-Marts across the state.
Wal-Mart’s attorneys are going after provisions in the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, which they call “protectionist” and “anti-competitive,” that prohibit the retail giant — and all other publicly traded companies — from owning or operating package stores to sell liquor in Texas.
The company argues that the state should not be allowed to maintain barriers to free market competition and consumer choice. The company already is permitted to sell hard alcohol — such as rum, vodka and whiskey — in 25 other states, the filing said.

Wal-Mart files federal lawsuit to sell liquor in Texas | www.mystatesman.com

This is great for Tesla as it will raise awareness among consumers that there are state laws protecting certain established industries against newcomers.
 
From the 21st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:
Section 2.
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Bold added.
As I understand it this is the basis for different states having different liquor laws. So I wouldn't expect Wal-Mart's suit to be successful, though it will be entertaining to watch.

Of course there is no such Constitutional carve-out for auto sales.