AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s governor has vetoed a bill that sought to ensure that any pint of beer sold in the state would be 16 ounces.
Supporters of state Sen. John Patrick’s measure contend that some establishments use shorter glasses for beer they advertise as pints. Patrick, a Rumford Democrat, said Mainers should get what they’re paying for.
Patrick’s bill passed the state Senate on a unanimous voice vote but the House split, 83-62, on the bill last week with Republicans voting against it and Democrats largely voting for the bill.
The bill, according to Patrick, was necessary to protect consumers from being sold 14-ounce beers in so-called “cheater” pint glasses and to ensure a customer gets 16 ounces of beer when ordering a pint.
But Republicans argued the measure was unnecessary or those who were misadvertising what they sold were already subject to truth-in-advertising laws.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage agreed in his veto message on Monday that the state already has laws protecting against deceptive trade practices and this bill would create additional financial and regulatory burdens on businesses.
LePage said he doesn’t “believe the answer to every problem is more government, more laws and more regulation.”
It would take two-thirds support in both the House and Senate to override LePage’s veto.
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