Have you ever found yourself in Minnesota, on a Sunday, in need of a bottle of your favorite spirit, or even an ice cold 12 pack of your favorite beer? If you have, you know it can be a daunting task to find a place to make your purchase, especially if you forgot to buy the booze the night before.
Well if State Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township)has his way, the drunks, and social drinkers of Minnesota will no longer have to worry about making it to the local liquor store on Saturday night to pick up the refreshments for the big game, birthday party, etc... Did I mention there is some good logic behind this proposed legislation?
More at the bottom of the glass...
As I stated in the opening Rep. Anzelc has proposed legislation that would open liquor stores on Sundays:
Minnesotans would be able to buy alcohol at local liquor stores with the state’s share of tax revenue dedicated to funding of county children’s social services.
(emphasis mine)
Minnesota currently has a budget deficit of $5 billion dollars, while that may be small compared to some other States' budget deficits, it poses a large threat to many of the social service programs, as well as education funding, etc...
According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States:
State revenue from sales tax on Sundays could equal up to $10 million a year
Granted this is only an estimate, but however much revenue is generated it would go to a worthy cause:
The state’s share of sales tax revenue would be put into a special fund for county children’s services
Director of Koochiching County Community Services welcomes this idea:
“I don’t think there’s an area that won’t be affected by these cuts,” Murray said. “I hope it would bring some money in to help offset our costs for the children’s area.”
Funding that would come from sales tax on alcohol would be especially appropriate, Murray said, because much of their services revolve around families with chemical dependency issues.
“I can’t imagine anybody not agreeing,” Murray said. “They’re focusing to put the money where the services are needed as a result of drinking problems."
Murray added that the legislation would be most successful if it focused on prevention issues, rather than only services like out-home placement that are ordered by courts and mandated by the state.
“I’ve had to cut a lot of preventive services over the years,” he said.
“From chemical dependency to people being able to take care of their own kids, there’s no question (prevention) would help.”
The legislation would make liquor store participation voluntary, and local governments would have the authority to determine which Sundays the stores could be open.
“This isn’t about the supply and demand of alcohol or the consumption of alcohol,” Anzelc said, “it’s about finding a way to get more money into social service programs for children.”
Anzelc said he’s still looking for someone in the state Senate to sponsor the bill.
I don't know about the rest of you but, I think this legislation is a good idea.
Here is the list of MN State Senators, and there contact info, just in case you feel like letting them know how you feel on this matter.