Nanny State Update

In August, the widely-reported Amethyst Initiative petition to reconsider underage drinking laws -- which its prominent signatories agreed had contributed to reflexive "binge drinking" among college students inebriated by their unaccustomed freedom to attend campus keggers -- made fierce anti-booze advocates like MADD madder. They will pleased to learn that New York is now looking to make it harder for young adults to get their drink on.

The Advisory Council on Underage Alcohol Consumption proposes that New York stiffen its fines for adults who allow underage drinking in their homes to $250 for a first offense, says Crain's New York Business. Repeat offenders would face jail time.

Democrats in the State Assembly previously thwarted a similar proposal, but the Council is working with the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to get this before legislators with all speed.

Image adapted from a Flickr photo by JasonRogers under a Creative Commons license.