TABC News Blog (not Affiliated with TABC)

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Per Capita Consumption
April, 2007

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Distilled Spirits
Total Tax Collections $5,451,472.00
Total Gallons 2,271,447
Per Capita Consumption 0.0985
Tax Rate Per Gallon $2.40
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Wine
Total Tax Collections $793,626.00
Total Gallons(Estimated) 3,243,579
Per Capita Consumption(Estimated) 0.1406
Tax Rate Per Gallon(Estimated) $0.244676
Low Wine $0.204
High Wine $0.408
Sparkling Wine $0.516
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Beer
Total Tax Collections $8,938,976.00
Total Gallons 46,184,802
Per Capita Consumption 2.0024
Tax Rate Per Gallon $0.193548
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Ale
Total Tax Collections $571,992.00
Total Gallons 2,888,848
Per Capita Consumption 0.1252
Tax Rate Per Gallon $0.198
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Note:
Statistics based on gross tax collections by the Commission
and population estimates are from the Texas Comptroller of
Public Accounts ‘Economic and Population Forecast Summary’.

Estimate of Population: 23,065,097

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) credits a reduction in criminal activity during spring break to partnership efforts between TABC, local businesses, and local law enforcement. TABC staff held two meetings to prepare retailers on the Coast, one with approximately 50 Port Isabel and South Padre Island business owners, and another involving a handful of business owners from Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. Local police officials, TABC agents, and TABC compliance officers talked with these local businesses about illegal sales to minors and intoxicated persons, as well as what to expect from law enforcement during spring break.

“TABC is pleased with the results of this year’s spring break in South Padre Island and Corpus Christi,” says TABC Administrator Alan Steen. “Typically the week with the most activity on the coast coincides with spring break for most of Texas’ colleges and universities. This year, TABC agents handed out fewer criminal citations that week than the same week the previous year. Our agency also received fewer complaints this year, indicating that we have made improvements in our working relationship with business and with college students enjoying their vacation.” The number of criminal citations issued, and the number of complaints filed against TABC employees, has decreased each year for the past three years.

TABC agents focused on the beaches of Corpus Christi, Galveston and South Padre Island to deter the illegal use of alcoholic beverages among individuals enjoying the spring break celebrations. Following on the heels of a statewide minor sting at the beginning of March, agents along the coast conducted random inspections, minor stings and other enforcement operations in an attempt to curb the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.

In addition to the benefits of working with retailers in advance, TABC and other police agencies felt that it was a slower spring break with a smaller, better-behaved crowd. Local businesses reported a reduction in vandalism, and there were fewer calls for service (requests for police assistance) and fewer arrests. Over the two-week period from March 6-18th, 2007, Agents issued a total of 1919 criminal citations. The majority of those were during “Texas Week.” More than half of the citations issued were for minors in possession of alcoholic beverages.

Through voluntary compliance from retailers, and enhanced enforcement efforts, it is TABC’s hope every year to keep Texas highways safe and ensure that youth return back to school with memories of having a fun and safe spring break. “We want everyone to have fun, but do it safely and within the law,” states Administrator Alan Steen.

Contact: Captain Richard Jauregui in San Antonio at (210) 731-1720

Employees of the Year 2007

Left to Right: Commissioner Jose Cuevas, Jr; Agent Michael Hunter; Mona
Appling; Chairman John T. Steen, Jr.; Commissioner Gail Madden

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announces dual recipients of the 2006 Allan Shivers, Jr., Award for Excellence in Public Service: Agent Michael Hunter of Georgetown and Mona Appling of Austin.

Each year, TABC recognizes the outstanding performance and accomplishments of agency employees in two categories: Commissioned Peace Officer and Civilian. The agency began the annual employee of the year program in 1995 under Chairman Allan Shiver’s leadership. After Mr. Shivers retired from the Commission, TABC’s governing board renamed the annual awards program in his honor in February of 2003.

TABC’s Commissioned Peace Officer Employee of the Year, Agent Michael Hunter, began his employment with TABC in 1996 in the Houston District. In 1998, he transferred to the Austin District Office, and earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2001. In 2002, he was assigned to the Austin District’s Georgetown Outpost office where he currently works. He has attained his advanced certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer’s Standards and Education
(TCLEOSE).

The community in which Agent Hunter works values his professionalism, efficiency, and cooperative demeanor, describing him as “… a high caliber working example of the Vision, Mission and Philosophy that TABC wishes to promote.” He has been commended as “… a deserving champion for the protection and safety of youth.” His significant contributions to the Commission’s goals are exemplified by solid enforcement and
educational efforts.

TABC’s Civilian Employee of the Year, Mona Appling, obtained an associates degree in business data processing from Lamar University in Beaumont. Appling started at TABC in September 1974. By January 1978, she had received several promotions as an automated data processing equipment operator. In 1980, when the Commission acquired its first computer, she was promoted to programmer apprentice, becoming the first female programmer in the agency. In a few short years, her technical career quickly progressed her through the ranks of the programming staff. Appling went from a programmer apprentice, to a programmer I, programmer II, programmer analyst I, finishing with her current position as Database Administrator.

Appling has many notable accomplishments over the years at the TABC, including assisting in two data center relocations, as well as several major mainframe computer conversions, database migrations and recently converting from a mainframe topology into a client server platform. During her career, she has been recognized with “Certificates of Merit” for her contributions and dedication to duty. She has been an integral part of the technological leadership of TABC and has played a key role in bringing the agency into the 21st century.

Contact: Carolyn Beck, Public Information Officer, at (512) 206-3347

Joel Moreno

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) announces the selection of Joel Moreno as Chief of Enforcement, effective August 13, 2007. Chief Joel Moreno has served the public as a peace officer for 27 years, beginning his career with the McAllen Police Department in 1980.

“A dedicated public servant, Joel Moreno worked his way from entry level agent trainee through the ranks to lead the enforcement division,” said Administrator Alan Steen. “I am excited to have his help leading our agency to new heights and proud that he has chosen to dedicate his career to TABC and to the people of Texas.”

Chief Moreno was hired by TABC in 1985, working as an Agent in Laredo, McAllen, and Harlingen; then as a Sergeant in Houston and McAllen; a Lieutenant in Corpus Christi; and Captain of the West Region in Odessa. Most recently, Moreno was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief of Enforcement in Austin, May 2004.

Chief Moreno received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at the Pan American University in Edinburg, and he has been awarded a Master Peace Officer Certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

Contact: Carolyn Beck, Public Information Officer, at (512) 206-3347