House GOPer unveils new Sunday liquor bill

Published 9:33 am Tuesday, January 14, 2014

ST. PAUL — A leading Republican in the Minnesota House is introducing a new bill to allow Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota.

Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie, the deputy Republican leader, said Monday it’s time for state government to abolish a law she calls outdated and against free enterprise. Supporters of lifting Minnesota’s Sunday prohibition got a boost recently when Gov. Mark Dayton said he’d sign a bill if the Legislature passes it.

Loon said she expects bipartisan support, though past efforts to lift the ban have fallen far short of legislative majorities.

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Opponents cite the concerns of some independent liquor store owners who want one day a week to be closed without worrying about competitors. Loon’s bill tries to address that by letting local governments set hours and rules for Sunday sales.