Policy Prespectives

Year-end Crunch, New Year Plans Washington, DC is a unique city with a rhythm all its own, from slow to frenetic depending on the season, and especially when Congress is in town or not. Even though members come from all over the country, they often commute, flying in on Monday and out on Thursday afternoons, … Read more

State Profiles: North Carolina Wine Country

North Carolina is a very diverse wine state in terms of history, geography, and the range of grape varieties grown. A Mothervine planted in 1584 has been used by Duplin Winery to develop a wine range of Scuppernong grapes and wines; the state was a significant wine producer in the 1830’s; and the early 1970’s … Read more

Policy Prespectives

DC Updates: The Election is Over! Yes, I know: You thought the 2024 election was over a month ago. So did I, and everyone else, but that was just the presidential part of it. On Wednesday, the last race was finally called when Adam Gray (D) barely defeated Rep. John Duarte (R ) in California’s … Read more

State Profiles: New York Wine Country

New York is a perfect example of how the business climate is at least as important as the natural climate when it comes to the success of the wine industry. 40 years ago, in the mid-1980s, there were only about 30 wineries in the state, and the 30,000-acre grape industry was in an economic crisis. … Read more

Policy Prespectives

DC Updates Lame Duck Session 2024 With the dust settled from the election, Congress returned this week to begin some necessary year-end actions, specifically related to the budget and avoiding a government shutdown. Republican legislators want to give the incoming Trump Administration a clean slate for establishing funding priorities, so they proposed a continuing resolution … Read more