The Arkansas Supreme Court has reversed one of the finest trial judges in Arkansas in a matter related to the liquor store permit for a Sam’s Club in Fayetteville. The Pulaski County circuit judge in question held that the Arkansas Beverage Retailers Association, a group of package stores, did not have standing to challenge the ABC decision granting the permit. The Supreme Court said the retailers had “demonstrated an injury sufficient to confer standing.” The case will now go back to the lower court, where the Hon. Ellen B. Brantley will get to decide whether the ABC acted capriciously, whether the state law prohibits the arrangement contemplated in Fayetteville and whether Sam’s Club reps had unlawful ex parte contacts with ABC members (this the famous watering hole howdy-do between a Wal-Mart lobbyist and ABC commissioners). 

Commentary: Read it yourself and decide. Where I live, the judge is always right.

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