It’s time to put Connecticut consumers first and end the state’s antiquated blue laws. Take action today!

End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Coalition calls for end to antiquated Sunday sales ban

FARMINGTON – With local Giants and Patriots fans eagerly preparing for an epic Super Bowl rematch on Sunday, the End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Coalition is again calling on Connecticut lawmakers to repeal the state’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores.

“With friends and family gathering for the big game, Connecticut consumers deserve the right to stock up on chips, salsa, party platters, a case or two of beer, and a few bottles of wine, all on Super Bowl Sunday,” said Stan Sorkin, President of the Connecticut Food Association.  “We are one of only two states in the entire country that still prohibits Sunday sales.  This antiquated blue makes absolutely no sense, especially on Super Bowl Sunday.”

Added Sorkin, “While Connecticut fans may be deeply divided in their support for the Giants or the Patriots, they are strongly in favor of ending the Sunday sales ban.” According to a March 2011 Quinnipiac University poll, 66% of Connecticut voters supported ending the ban.

“We have customers coming in all morning and afternoon stocking up for their Super Bowl parties,” said Ray Miller, owner of a ShopRite in Enfield.  “But when they walk down our beer aisle, all of our cases are covered due to the Sunday sales blue law.  There’s no question that this is costing us business, particularly on a busy Super Bowl Sunday.”

“Being open on Super Bowl Sunday would be great for business” said Dominic Alaimo, the owner of Freshwater Package Store in Enfield. “But because of the Sunday sales blue law, I’ll lose thousands of dollars in sales to stores just across the border in Massachusetts who are open and happy to serve fans getting ready for their big Super Bowl parties.”

“Connecticut’s blue law sidelines small business owners and consumers on the busiest home entertainment day of the year for sports fans,” said Jay Hibbard, Vice President of the Distilled Spirits Council.  “It’s time for the Connecticut General Assembly to strike down this outdated ban on Sunday alcohol sales and put consumers first.”

Today’s New Haven Independent has an editorial strongly endorsing putting an end to Connecticut’s antiquated Sunday sales ban and other alcohol regulation blue laws:

This year, the governor has unveiled sweeping changes to the state liquor law that would not only allow Sunday sales, but increase the hours when alcoholic beverages could be served at restaurants and bars, and likely lower costs.

The changes are worthwhile. They would yield as much as $8 million in state tax revenue while lowering prices and increasing convenience for consumers . . .

Malloy’s changes would raise the number of package stores an individual or business could own from two to nine. Grocery stores still would only be able to sell beer, but they would have the ability to open separate stores that could sell liquor and wine.

The changes are expected to not only boost Connecticut businesses through increased sales, but benefit consumers with cost savings and greater shopping convenience. The savings would come via the end of prohibitions against distributors offering discounts to retailers and liquor stores from selling alcoholic beverages below cost . . .

Connecticut and Indiana are the only states that ban all liquor sales on Sunday.

In Connecticut’s case, the ban is a holdover from the days of the Puritans. After more than 300 years, the state should acknowledge that times have changed, and drop the Sunday ban.

Listen to Tim Devanney, President of Highland Park Market, a family-owned and operated chain of five Central Connecticut stores, discuss why he supports ending Connecticut’s antiquated alcohol blue laws on the Ray Dunaway show.

Courtesy of D. Smith and the Stratford Star.

As part of a plan to comprehensively reform Connecticut’s laws regulating the sale of alcohol, Governor Malloy has endorsed ending the state’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores.

The End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Coalition looks forward to working with Governor Malloy and the members of the General Assembly to pass legislation reforming the state’s outdated alcohol sale blue laws in order to give consumers more choice and convenience and to help Connecticut stay competitive with our neighboring states.

Danbury News Times (01-17-12) – Expanding store hours makes sense for state revenues and consumers

We agree with Dannel P. Malloy’s recommendation to allow store sales of alcohol on Sundays — part of a package of proposals the governor says would increase state revenues and enhance customer convenience . . .

In making his case, Malloy says Sunday sales could bring Connecticut millions more in annual tax revenues — money that would certainly help the state’s economic recovery.

But legalizing Sunday sales is more than just a way to collect more taxes. The old blue laws, while helping small shops compete, are an artificial, antiquated impediment to business — and to consumers.

Hartford Courant Editorial (01-14-12) – No More Dry Sundays: Good For Consumers And The State

The package of popular liquor law reforms endorsed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today — among them, Sunday sales of alcohol, later hours for package stores and bars and an end to minimum pricing — is a winner for Connecticut.

If passed by the General Assembly, these modernizing changes in this state’s “blue laws” should mean greater convenience and lower costs for consumers, a better competitive position for Connecticut and millions of dollars in additional state tax revenue every year.

Several state employee unions have voted to reject Governor Malloy’s labor concessions contract proposal. As a result, millions of dollars must be made up in an emergency “Plan B” budget now being crafted by the Governor and leaders in the General Assembly.

Contact Governor Malloy and members of the Finance Committee today and tell them to include the repeal of Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on Sunday alcohol sales as part of the emergency budget. Repealing the ban will increase convenience for Connecticut consumers and generate up to $8 million in annual new revenue. Revenue that is desperately needed to close Connecticut’s budget deficit.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/Groups/CTFA/Advocacy/?IssueID=25606&SiteID=-1

On Thursday, the General Assembly’s Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on a budget amendment to repeal Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of alcohol.

Now is the time to call and email Finance Committee members to tell them to end the Sunday sales ban.

Click here to contact members of the Finance Committee.

We are as close as we have ever been to repealing the Sunday sales blue law.  Take action today!