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2011: The Year for Sunday Sales?

The topic of alcohol sales on Sunday tends to fire up people. Some pastors get their congregations fired up on how Jesus won’t love you for purchasing and consuming alcohol from grocery/convenience/package stores on Sunday (even though you can do it the other 6 days). Bills have come up before the General Assembly before that would remove the state-wide ban on alcohol sales and and allow for a referendum question put before the counties and municipalities on whether or not to allow alcohol sales on Sunday.

Republicans generally want to try and keep power at the closest level to the individual citizen. I believe allowing each county, rather than the state, to decide on whether or not an individual can purchase alcohol on Sunday is good. Some of my socially conservative friends here in northwest Georgia would object to this, but I don’t really care what decisions an individual makes as long as they do not harm others.  Buying alcohol on Sundays at a grocery store more than likely won’t affect others and would generate some additional revenue.

Governor Deal may sign a “local control” Sunday Sales bill if it passes the General Assembly. The last Sunday Sales bill was introduced by Representative Roger Williams of Dalton, but was opposed to former Governor Perdue. A new governor mixed with the need of additional state revenue might be the perfect storm to get the legislation passed. I’m curious as to the firestorm that could erupt. Deal had a lot of support from social conservatives. I wonder if a loud outcry from them in opposition to Sunday Sales legislation would change his mind.

Young Republicans have supported this legislation in the past.  Not just because we want the ability to buy alcohol from package stores and drink in our own homes, but rather because we believe in pushing power down to the local level.  This is a state-wide ban that has been around for years.  It’s time that we repeal that ban and allow localities to decide for themselves on whether or not to allow alcohol sales on Sunday.

Originally posted on Peach Pundit.