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TOP STORIES
TuesdayFebruary92010



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Proposal to allow Sunday liquor sales on table
2/22/2009 7:05 PM
By: Jenna Hiller

There are mixed reactions to the proposed legislation.  
Closed signs on Sunday are nothing new at liquor stores but proposed state legislation might make it a day of business for stores across Texas.

And there are mixed reactions to the proposed legislation.

House Bill 863 would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays.

Blue laws were put in place to enforce religious standards but many have already been overturned. The laws limit things like liquor sales and store hours on Sundays, but that could soon be overturned if lawmakers have their way.
More Information
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More Information

•More about the Blue Laws

•Will the recession doom Blue laws?, Time Magazine, Feb. 22, 2009

•Debate overflows on Sunday alcohol sales, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Feb. 19, 2009

Representative Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, said it would help generate sales tax at a time when the state could use all the money it can get.

"We would generate anywhere from $5 to $8 million in sales tax. At this point, we can't give you the accurate number because we've never done it before," Rep. Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez also said the law, which is one of several remaining blue laws in Texas is outdated.
Blue laws were put in place to enforce religious standards.  

"This stems back to the days of prohibition. By now, it's a little bit of a hypocrisy to say that the grocery store can sell beer and wine on Sunday, but [liquor stores] can't sell beer, wine and alcohol on Sunday," Rep. Gutierrez said.

It might surprise you to know that some of the same people who open the doors for business on Mondays want to keep them closed on Sundays.

Owner and president of Twin Liquors, David Jabour said he doesn't support the change. He said the Texas Package Stores Association – a trade organization for liquor stores – doesn't support it either.

Jabour said it wouldn't really make more money for his stores.

"There might ultimately be an added bottle sold, but in order to get that added bottle sold, more money would need to be spent," Jabour said.

Those extra dollars would be spent on staffing the stores during those additional Sunday hours.
 WATCH THE VIDEO
More Information
Sunday liquor sales

Lawmakers consider overturning a blue law that would allow Sunday liquor sales.



Gutierrez said the proposal wouldn't force liquor stores to be open on Sundays, but Jabour said if the law changes he would have to change, too.

The owner of Twin Liquors said he doesn't see this generating more sales tax because it would just spread sales over seven days instead of six.

On the contrary, the San Antonio representative believes Sunday is the second busiest shopping day so it would yield extra money for the state.

"Competitively, you would be in a position that you would have to be open. You'd be forced to be open," Jabour said.

But for now Jabour says he's glad to have Sunday off.



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