A recent AJC story detailed how Georgia officials showed favoritism toward politically connected beer distributors over craft breweries in the battle for drinkers’ access to alcohol. Today, a local lawyer says state restrictions on local breweries block free-market enterprise. We asked Georgia Speaker David Ralston’s office for an opposing view, but a spokesman said no legislator was willing to weigh in. The Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association did not respond to requests for an opinion. In our second column, an industry group speaks out against a recent column that advocated raising cigarette taxes.

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Dunwoody United Methodist Church, Tuesday, Monday, June 10, 2025, in Dunwoody, Ga. The church was celebrating the installation of solar panels in conjunction with the Georgia SEPA and Georgia Bright. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

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Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, seen here in a file photo from Nov. 14, 2024, is conducting a statewide audit of voter registrations targeting registrations at businesses and P.O. boxes for possible cancelation. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com