Wine bill clears Senate with help from Dewhurst

From News 8 Austin, April 30, 2009...

A bill that would let Texans take their own wine into restaurants serving liquor has quietly cleared the Texas Senate after some help from Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and the Texas Restaurant Association.

The legislation passed unanimously Thursday using a fast-track process normally reserved for non-controversial bills. Dewhurst, a known wine connoisseur, had told the industry group he would likely take advantage of the law himself if it passed, according to a letter from the association.

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Report: Texas restaurants to thrive in 09

From Austin Business Journal, December 22, 2008...

The Texas Restaurant Association said the Lone Star State is expected to lead the country, in terms of sales growth in 2009.

Texas’ restaurant sector is expected to grow 4 percent with total sales expected to reach $35 billion in 2009, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2009 Restaurant Industry Forecast.

Meantime, national restaurant industry sales are anticipated to reach $566 billion in 2009, with the industry employing 13 million individuals in 945,000 restaurant and food service outlets nationwide. The NRA forecasts that restaurant industry sales will increase by 2.5 percent over 2008.

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