May 27th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Virginia officials are seizing on discord in Maryland over how to regulate the growing number of breweries here by trying to entice brewers and entrepreneurs to move south.The Baltimore Sun reports Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore said he and his staff have contacted more than half a dozen Maryland breweries, pitching the commonwealth as more pro-business and pro-beer.

The effort comes as some Maryland elected officials criticize legislation passed by the General Assembly last month that will quadruple the amount of beer breweries can serve in their on-site taprooms, but also make other rule changes that some consider regressive and harmful to the industry.

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday that he'd let the bill to become law without his signature, a symbolic gesture that highlights his concern.

In a letter to legislative leaders, the Republican governor cited Virginia's entreaties to Maryland breweries as motivation to fix flaws in the state's liquor laws during next year's General Assembly session.