NEWS . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 13, 2008
From: Martin Hawley, the Office of State Representative Calvin Hill

Daily View From The Hill:

Calvin Hill

March 13 , 2008

Local Control for Sunday Alcohol Sales

Despite a slow start, this is rapidly becoming a very busy and productive year for your Georgia General Assembly. Major propositions are being prepared for the voters this year on all sorts of issues.

First a major transportation funding proposal, then property tax freeze – what will be next?  Surprise of surprises, yesterday the Regulated Industry Committee unanimously passed out a bill that will allow each community to vote whether or not it wants Sunday sales of alcohol.

Yes, that is what I said; Georgia is the last state in the nation to come up with this proposal, allowing the voters in each city and county to decide if they want to be able to buy beer or wine at the local grocery store on Sunday afternoon.

The logic is that now you can go to a restaurant or ball game on Sunday afternoon and have a few beers before driving home, so why not be able to buy a six-pack and drink it safely at home while watching the game on TV?

If this bill passes the House as easily as it passed the Senate – and the Governor signs it into law - then that day could come as soon as next year.

What do you think about having local control for Sunday sales? Let me know at calvin.hill@house.ga.gov or call my office at 404-656-0129.