UPDATED: Sunday Sales Dies in Committee

The chance of buying alcohol on Sundays in Georgia is drying up.

Today a Senate committee was set to take up a bill that would've let voters decide whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales in their communities.

But bill sponsor Seth Harp suddenly withdrew the bill. He says it simply didn't have enough votes to pass out of committee.

"I think there were the forces there that wanted to do it in, and we didn't have the numbers."

Even though the bill is now dead, supporters like Kathy Kuzava with the Georgia Food Industry Association weren't too worried. She says the amount of public support behind legislation like this shows that Georgians won't let the idea lay to rest.

"We will definitely be back to fight this issue because again as you know the polling is coming across is overwhelmingly in favor of... local option for Sunday sales."

Sunday sales bill to return

Legislation to allow the Sunday sales of alcohol in Georgia is making a comeback. State Sen. Seth Harp said he will reintroduce the measure for the coming legislative session. And, with the state's economy slumping, he'll argue that it could bring in millions of dollars in additional tax revenue. Sunday sales has failed to win legislative approval for the last two sessions. Georgia is one of only three states that ban stores from selling any kind of alcohol on Sundays. The bill would give local governments the option on whether to permit Sunday alcohol sales. Opponents say they will fight the bill again this year arguing it would create more problems by increasing alcohol use.

(Associated Press)

Cagle changes stance on Sunday sales measure

A measure to allow Sunday sales of alcohol in Georgia failed to get a Senate vote during the 2008 legislative session. But the Senate may get a second chance.

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle – one of the bill’s chief opponents – says he will allow the Senate to consider a voter referendum. In a letter to nearly 2,000 constituents, Cagle says he opposes Sunday sales for religious reasons but respects the right of voters to decide for themselves.

Advocates for Sunday sales were pleased with Cagle’s change of heart. Jim Tudor is a lobbyist for the convenience store industry.

“The support of someone… the Lt. Governor… with his ability and the importance of his opinion… he is a very valuable ally and we look forward to working with him.”

Georgians can currently buy alcohol on Sundays at restaurants, ballgames and farm wineries. The measure would allow individual communities to decide whether to add grocery stores to that list.

Perdue confirms opposition to Sunday alcohol sales

Governor Sonny Perdue says he does not support the bill now in the State House that would allow alcohol sales in grocery and convenience stores on Sundays.

On Wednesday a House committee attached a Sunday sales provision to the bill that would allow alcohol sales at a new baseball stadium to be built in Gwinnett County. Perdue says it's not fair to put the two measures together.

"I was hoping Gwinnett County could have a stand-alone bill for their economic development out there. I haven't supported (Sunday sales) in the past, I don't now and frankly I'm very concerned. It puts Gwinnett County's business in jeopardy if the House chooses to take that up".

Perdue says people have six days to gather-up alcohol and store it if they want to drink on Sundays. The Governor did not say whether he would veto the bill if it passes.

Lobbyists for grocery and convenience stores have been banking on public opinion to sway the Governor and State Senate.