Sunday Sales - An Alternative to Tax Increases
Many states are reevaluating the antiquated blue laws that outlaw alcohol sales on Sundays. Allowing retail sales of alcohol on Sundays would not only increase customer convenience and improve the bottom line of the small businesses doing the selling, but would also produce extra tax revenue without having to increase taxes. So far this year, the state legislatures of Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas have seen legislation to repeal various prohibitions of Sunday off-premise alcohol sales. Additionally, both Idaho and Kansas have expanded the number of localities that now allow Sunday sales and on April 22nd the Washington State Legislature passed a budget that included an expansion of the number of state liquor stores that may be open on Sunday, as well as the elimination of the $0.42 per liter surcharge that was enacted in 2003 and renewed in 2005. As slow as it may be, the beverage alcohol industry is moving into the 21st Century! |
