Chalk up a victory for Carroll Hughes, the lobbyist for the Connecticut Package Stores Association. The Program Review & Investigations Committee is not taking up legislation recommending the Sunday sale of alcohol in retail establishments like supermarkets and package stores. “It is highly controversial with strong sides on each issue,” Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, said. “I know how to count.” Rather than force a vote, Kissel didn’t take up the bill on the committee deadline day, essentially killing the concept. But of course, nothing’s ever dead in the General Assembly. Rep. Kathy Tallarita, D-Enfield, vows that she’ll try to get it into the budget, somehow, under the pretext that it would mean about $8 million a year in additional tax revenue. She’s on the Finance Committee, so she’ll have a venue to persuade lawmakers as the session continues.
Sunday sales isn’t dead yet. It was never going to go anywhere within the committee process…even if it got out of PRI.
When/if they ever get serious about doing real cuts to balance the $500 million deficit, that $8 million dollars out there is going to look really good to some key members when they want to save a few small programs. That’s when it will get inserted and the good Senator from Bristol will have nothing to say about it.
Comment by Sunday Yes — March 12th, 2010 @ 9:16 am
Of course they did. So what is the problem?
Comment by levelheadedandobjective — March 12th, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
Please don’t let this issue Die, if nothing else being one of the last three states to have this idiotic law on the books is down right embarressing!Just how backward are we here in Ct.??
Comment by Ernest P. Addario — March 13th, 2010 @ 7:33 pm