In a televised debate held on Wednesday, July 14th, Republican gubernatorial candidates Michael Fedele, Tom Foley, and Oz Griebel voiced their support for ending Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores:

http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/07/three-republicans-square-off-i.html

The three candidates also tackled the controversial issue of Sunday sales of alcohol that are currently prohibited in Connecticut.

“I believe in letting the market” decide whether the stores should be open on Sunday, Griebel said.

For years, the lobbyists for the Connecticut Package Store Owners Association have won the battle to block Sunday sales. The battle has been a highly controversial, long-running battle that has been studied by both Republicans and Democrats. The package store lobbyists say that Sunday sales is a bad idea because it would simply spread out the sales over seven days, rather than six. The costs for the storeowners would increase, the lobbyists say, because they would need to pay overtime rates for their workers on Sundays, plus increased heating and cooling costs at various times of the year.

“I would be for Sunday liquor sales – I would make it optional,” Fedele said. “For too long, Connecticut has been unfriendly to the business community. … I think that’s a business decision.”

Foley, as he has in the past, said that businesses – not the legislature – should decide whether package stores should open on Sundays.

In a televised debate held on Tuesday, June 22nd, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Ned Lamont and Dan Malloy both voiced their support for ending Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores:

Viewers also asked questions during the debate. Brad Dewey of Watertown wanted to know the candidate’s thoughts about allowing alcohol sales on Sunday. “The people of Connecticut are wise enough to purchase their liquor on the days they want it. We’re losing that revenue,” replied Malloy. It was a similar answer for Lamont. “I don’t think this is a place the government ought to be. I’d end the Blue Law and let you make the decision where you want to be on a Sunday.”

The Connecticut General Assembly session is almost over. Members are discussing ways to solve next year’s budget deficit. Now is the time to contact your legislators to demand an end to the state’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages at neighborhood grocery and package stores.

• Raise revenues before raising taxes: Ending the ban will generate $8 million in new revenue this year and $80 million over 10 years – money that could help the state’s budget deficit and prevent the elimination of important social programs.

• Keep it in Connecticut: Ending the ban will allow grocery and package stores near bordering states to compete with cross-border stores that already allow Sunday alcohol sales

• Create Jobs: Ending the ban will mean more hours and new jobs for Connecticut’s neighborhood grocery and package store workers.

• Consumers win: More choice and convenience for Connecticut consumers. According to a March 2010 Quinnipiac University poll, Connecticut consumers support the Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages 56 percent to 39 percent.

Email and call your legislators today!

• House Democrats – (860) 240-8500
• House Republicans – (860) 240-8700
• Senate Democrats – (860) 240-8600
• Senate Republicans – (860) 240-8800

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 371, which represents thousands of hard working Connecticut supermarket employees, recently endorsed the repeal of the state’s antiquated ban on the Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages at neighborhood grocery and package stores. As stated in this letter from UFCW Local 371 President Brian Petronella:

“Lifting this antiquated blue law will lead to increased sales, which in turn will mean more hours and new jobs for our members who are already struggling in this difficult economy.”

The Connecticut Food Association and the End Connecticut’s Blue Laws coalition are proud to have the support of UFCW Local 371.

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.

You can help by clicking here to email Governor Rell, House Speaker Christopher Donovan, and Senate President Donald Williams. Tell them to end Connecticut’s outdated ban on the Sunday sale of alcohol at neighborhood grocery and package stores, and to include this repeal in the state budget.

For more information, friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Thank you for your support!

End Connecticut’s Blue Laws
info@endctbluelaws.org

We’re making tremendous progress towards lifting Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages at neighborhood grocery and package stores. Check out these two excellent recent editorials supporting Sunday sales:

Not Just Booze Taxes Lost To Sunday Ban – Hartford Courant:

After reviewing the report, it’s quite simple, not to mention consistent with results from other states, to determine exactly how Connecticut can generate $8 million in new tax dollars. And, it can be done without having to fill up all the swimming pools in Connecticut with beer. Basically, it amounts to not pouring our dollars into other states every Sunday.

Right now, Connecticut likely loses millions in state tax revenue every year from residents crossing into New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island to buy alcohol on Sundays. Ending the massively inconvenient restriction would keep Connecticut residents shopping in-state instead of out of state. It’s also important to note that when customers cross the border to pick up tequila for Sunday night margaritas or beer for the football game, they’re also buying gas, grabbing lunch or even shopping at the mall. Connecticut loses out on all that peripheral revenue as well.

Never on Sunday? Or wine with dinner? – The Bristol Press:

Advocates for change point to a study by the legislature’s program review and investigations committee that determined Connecticut would collect as much as $8 million annually in extra sales and excise taxes by allowing Sunday sales of beer, wine and spirits.

Colapietro disagrees, though he offers no hard numbers to refute the study.

Instead, he blames grocery store owners who, he says, hope to see additional beer purchases on Sunday without having to add employees or stay open additional hours.

We’re sure the chains would welcome the business but we don’t think they’re alone. Stew Leonard, who operates supermarkets in both Connecticut and New York, recently described his New York experience to the Norwalk Hour, saying, “(In New York), we found a whole new group of customers coming in on Sunday. They may be going to their in-laws or their relatives for dinner, and they want to stop and get a bottle of wine. The downside, obviously, is you’ve got to have somebody working on Sunday.”

That’s Colapietro’s concern, too, but the package store owners always have the option of remaining closed Sundays, just as some restaurants choose to close one day a week to provide a respite for their staff.

Our focus is the proposed increase in tax revenue.

The Rell administration, because the state’s coffers are bare, wants to put on the chopping block dozens of programs that help people — programs that serve children and the elderly or provide aid to cities and towns.

An increase in tax revenue may save at least a few of these vital services — even if it means a few bottles of wine are sold on Sunday.

If you haven’t already, please be sure to use our electronic advocacy tool to email your legislators in support of lifting the ban on Sunday sales:

And please also be sure to tell all of your friends to join our Facebook page.

With support from more Connecticut consumers, we can put an end to this outdated blue law.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez have all come out in favor of ending Connecticut’s outdated ban on the Sunday sale of alcohol at local package and grocery stores.  As Mayor Finch says in today’s Hartford Courant:

“If our legislators simply lifted this antiquated ban on Sunday alcohol sales,” Finch said, “our financially struggling state could stop bleeding business — and sending tax revenue — to stores in neighboring states.”

While favoring a statewide lift of the ban on Sunday sales, Finch said that he and the other mayors would support a law that would allow Sunday sales in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven.

“At least let us do it,” Finch said. “What we hope to demonstrate to the state is show them how silly they have been by leaving the money on the table. If you go to the Sturbridge liquor stores, you see Connecticut license plates up there.”

Finch said, “We’re not worried about this in terms of the impact socially. What we’re worried about is the money. … Even if it was $100,000 more for Bridgeport, it’s $100,000 we desperately need.

“We think it’s worth a shot,” he said. “Let’s see what it brings in.”

Other media coverage of Connecticut mayors supporting lifting the ban on Sunday sales:

• “Big city mayors want Sunday liquor sales,” Stamford Advocate
• “Mayors Turn on Tap for Sunday Booze Sales,” NBC Connecticut
• “Sunday Liquor Sales: 3 Connecticut Mayors Making A New Push,” Hartford Courant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits will increase convenience for consumers and generate up to $8 million in new revenue for the state

FARMINGTON, FEBRUARY 11 – The Connecticut Food Association today announced the launch of the “End Connecticut’s Blue Laws” campaign to end the state’s antiquated ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits in neighborhood grocery and package stores.    Connecticut is the only state in the Northeast that still prohibits such sales.  This means less convenience for Connecticut consumers and lost business for grocery and package stores located near the border of neighboring states that have eliminated this blue law prohibition.  The ban on Sunday sales is also costing Connecticut millions of dollars in lost revenue that could help with the state’s budget deficit.    According to a December 2009 report issued by the General Assembly’s Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee, the state could see an increase of up to $8 million in new revenue if the Sunday alcohol sales prohibition were repealed.

“There is good reason that 47 out of 50 states have chosen to repeal blue laws which mandate a prohibition of Sunday sales of alcohol beverages – they comply with the constitution and state supreme court decisions, which unanimously have vacated Sunday blue laws,” said Bruce Nevins, owner of WineWise, a retail store in Greenwich, Connecticut near the border with New York.   “Connecticut has the miserable distinction of being 1 of only 3 states that continue to deny citizens and businesses of their rights – simply because of bad politics.  We want to be open, our customers want us to be open, and each week that we’re forced to be closed, significant business and revenue is lost to New York state, just across the border.”

Evidence from a March 2009 poll of Connecticut residents conducted by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States confirms that many consumers are going across the border to purchase alcohol.  According to the poll results:

• 65% of Connecticut consumers report having made alcohol purchases in nearby Massachusetts, Rhode Island or New York.

• 73% of Connecticut consumers who live in border towns report having made package store trips across the border.

“Our grocery stores are already open seven days a week, yet we can only sell beer Monday through Saturday,” said Timothy Devanney, President of Highland Park Market, a family-owned and operated chain of five Central Connecticut stores.  “That doesn’t make a lot of sense for our business or for our customers who should have the freedom to buy beer on Sundays.”

“The retail industry is all about providing consumers with more choice and convenience,” said Stan Sorkin, President of the Connecticut Food Association.  “Ending Connecticut’s outdated ban on Sunday alcohol sales will do just that and raise up to $8 million in desperately needed new revenue to help close our state’s budget deficit.  I urge Connecticut consumers to visit our www.EndCTBlueLaws.org website where they can tell their legislators to end this antiquated blue law.”   Additional information about the campaign and support opportunities are available on the End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Facebook page and on Twitter.

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