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to working with Governor Malloy and the members of the General Assembly to pass legislation reforming the state’s outdated alcohol sale blue laws in order to give consumers more choice and convenience and to help Connecticut stay competitive with our neighboring states.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

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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!

The General Assembly’s Finance Committee has revived legislation to finally end Connecticut’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of alcohol at neighborhood grocery and package stores.

According to a recent Quinnipiac University poll, 66% of Connecticut voters strongly support ending the ban, which would raise up to $8 million in annual new revenue for the state, create jobs, and mean more convenience for consumers.

The Finance Committee and the General Assembly should be doing everything possible to raise revenues before raising taxes. Ending the Sunday sales ban is a simple and common sense way to do this.

Click here to contact members of the Finance Committee today and tell them to end the Sunday sales ban!

Connecticut’s pizza parlors and package stores have a lot in common:

• Both are small family owned and operated businesses.
• Both serve their local neighborhoods and local consumers.
• Both work long hours.
• Both offer takeout products.
• Many are located in strip mall shopping centers.

Yet when it comes to competing for customers, Connecticut’s package stores get special protection. They are protected from competition by an outdated blue law which prohibits ALL stores, even those that WANT to be open, from selling beer, wine, and spirits on Sundays.

How is this fair? Why do package store owners get special protection, while others – like pizzerias, car dealers, and coffee shops – have the option to compete just like everyone else on Sundays? Why are alcoholic beverages the only consumer commodity prohibited from being sold on Sunday at retail stores?

It would seem the only reason is that package store owners have powerful lobbyists who will do anything to maintain an unfair and anti-consumer special deal for a protected class of small businesses that don’t want to compete for customers like every other small business in Connecticut. And, on top of that, deprive the people of Connecticut of much needed tax revenue to offset the state’s huge budget deficit.

Unfortunately, the General Law Committee recently chose not to take action 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 $80 million in new tax revenue for the state over the next 10 years. That’s money that could go toward the state’s budget deficit and help prevent the elimination of important social programs.

Despite this setback, we’re not giving up!

It’s time for the General Assembly to stop playing politics, stop questioning the obvious increase in tax revenue, stop hurting Connecticut businesses who want to be open and sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays, and stop hurting consumers who want the choice to purchase alcohol on Sundays.

Contact Governor Dan Malloy, House Speaker Christopher Donovan, and Senate President Donald Williams and tell them to include the Sunday sales ban repeal in the state budget!

- House Speaker Christopher Donovan, 860-240-8500
- Senate President Donald Williams, 860-240-8600
- Governor Dan Malloy, 860-566-4840

http://endctbluelaws.org/take-action

The Connecticut General Assembly still has not voted on common sense legislation to end the state’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores. Contact your legislators today and tell them to raise revenue before raising taxes by ending the Sunday sales ban now!