End CT Blue Laws update – Tell your legislators to include the Sunday sales ban repeal in the state budget
March 22nd, 2010 by endctblu | Filed under End Connecticut's Blue Laws.Unfortunately, on March 11th the General Assembly’s Program Review and Investigations Committee did not vote on common sense legislation to end Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of alcohol at neighborhood grocery and package stores.
In doing so, the legislature voted against increased convenience for consumers and against up to $8 million in new tax revenue for the state. Money that could go toward the state’s budget deficit and help prevent the elimination of important social programs. As the Hartford Courant noted in a recent editorial:
A small band of package store owners and their lobbyist have been able to cow the General Assembly for years, keeping lawmakers from repealing Connecticut’s archaic ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine and hard liquor.
They’ve done it again. On Thursday, a bill that would have allowed Sunday liquor store sales died in the Program Review And Investigations Committee. Co-chairman John Kissel, R-Enfield, said he doubts another committee will take up the matter this year.
What a disappointment — and a loss of tax revenues — at a time when the state is desperate for any money it can find.
Connecticut’s Sunday ban on package store sales is one of only three across-the-board bans in the nation. Repeal would be in the public interest. And with this state’s budget problems, how can lawmakers explain any decision to turn down up to $8 million in yearly tax revenue?
While we are disappointed by this, the End Connecticut’s Blue Laws coalition is fighting to include the Sunday sales repeal in the state budget.
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End Connecticut’s Blue Laws
info@endctbluelaws.org