Maine is proud of its many small businesses. Small businesses in Maine employ thousands of people and provide needed services and products to consumers. As concerned citizens, we urge our legislators to act now to change the liquor tastings laws in Maine to allow for more opportunities for consumers to taste wine and beer in shops at free tasting events. We support the repeal of the law recently passed that requires all shops, including small specialty shops, to conduct their tastings in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children. This law has created a hardship for small businesses in Maine. We support entirely removing this restriction. We also support expanding the number of tasting events that can be held each year by retail stores, as well as allowing private tasting events held by stores, in the retail store as well as at other venues. As consumers we are entitled to access to more choices and an opportunity to educate ourselves about those choices.