Spring Break
Sunday liquor sales make 'cents' for state
Aaron Igdalsky
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: Commentary
As UConn students are already well aware, liquor sales on Sundays are strictly forbidden in Connecticut, as they have been for over 70 years. Now, all of that may be about to change.
This year, with an extensive budget deficit reaching well into the ten-figure range, state representatives are considering overturning the last of the Blue Laws, and legalizing Sunday alcohol sales in our state. Such a measure is long overdue, and there is no better time than now to change the policy.
First and foremost, the more alcohol sold in Connecticut, the more money the state makes in revenue. In addition to the six percent sales tax, the state makes money on the "alcohol tax," which varies based upon the alcoholic-content of the product. If liquor stores are open on Sundays, they will undoubtedly sell a higher volume of products than if they were open only six days a week, and in turn produce more tax revenue for the state.
As it stands now, many Connecticut residents who want to purchase liquor on Sundays drive to our bordering states (Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York) to make their purchases, because all of those states permit Sunday liquor sales. Those purchases are revenue that Connecticut is missing out on because of our archaic, moralist approach to liquor sales. Many of the Connecticut residents who travel over the border to buy alcohol also purchase gas, cigarettes and other products while they are out of state to save money (since those products are usually cheaper outside of Connecticut, where gasoline and tobacco taxes are enormous). All of that money spent on liquor, gas and tobacco would be spent in Connecticut if package stores were allowed to do business on Sundays.
Perhaps even more important is the question of government intervention in the business world: why should the government be able to tell private businessmen and women that they cannot make a living on Sundays? No other businesses are forced to be closed on Sundays because of an old tradition. If businesspeople want to operate their stores on Sundays and earn extra revenue, they should be allowed to do so. If they want to remain closed, that is their prerogative.
This year, with an extensive budget deficit reaching well into the ten-figure range, state representatives are considering overturning the last of the Blue Laws, and legalizing Sunday alcohol sales in our state. Such a measure is long overdue, and there is no better time than now to change the policy.
First and foremost, the more alcohol sold in Connecticut, the more money the state makes in revenue. In addition to the six percent sales tax, the state makes money on the "alcohol tax," which varies based upon the alcoholic-content of the product. If liquor stores are open on Sundays, they will undoubtedly sell a higher volume of products than if they were open only six days a week, and in turn produce more tax revenue for the state.
As it stands now, many Connecticut residents who want to purchase liquor on Sundays drive to our bordering states (Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York) to make their purchases, because all of those states permit Sunday liquor sales. Those purchases are revenue that Connecticut is missing out on because of our archaic, moralist approach to liquor sales. Many of the Connecticut residents who travel over the border to buy alcohol also purchase gas, cigarettes and other products while they are out of state to save money (since those products are usually cheaper outside of Connecticut, where gasoline and tobacco taxes are enormous). All of that money spent on liquor, gas and tobacco would be spent in Connecticut if package stores were allowed to do business on Sundays.
Perhaps even more important is the question of government intervention in the business world: why should the government be able to tell private businessmen and women that they cannot make a living on Sundays? No other businesses are forced to be closed on Sundays because of an old tradition. If businesspeople want to operate their stores on Sundays and earn extra revenue, they should be allowed to do so. If they want to remain closed, that is their prerogative.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mark
posted 2/10/09 @ 10:33 AM EST
This definitely makes sense. I live in Colorado now, and here you can buy liquor at a drive through on Sunday. You can buy liquor at Super Target on a Sunday. (Continued…)
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