Pretty soon Connecticut residents will be able to buy liquor on Sundays without having to cross state lines into neighboring New York or Massachusetts to do so. The Connecticut State Senate approved a bill ending the state's ban on Sunday liquor sales Tuesday evening, according to the Connecticut Mirror; the Connecticut House of Representatives already approved the bill last week.
Shortly after the bill's approval by the state senate Tuesday evening, Gov. Malloy released a statement pledging to sign the bill shortly, but said he felt there was more the legislature could do to lower the state's liquor prices.
“Once I sign this bill, Indiana will be the only state in the nation to ban Sunday Sales. It’s a measure that’s long past due and a good first step to making our state’s package stores more consumer friendly," Malloy said in a statement. “Our current laws have cost Connecticut businesses millions of dollars as consumers have flocked over our borders in search of more convenient hours and lower prices. "Like many other initiatives I’ve put forward since taking office, this bill has a simple focus: making Connecticut competitive once again. But as I said just a few days ago when the House passed this bill, I continue to believe there’s more we can do to lower the cost to consumers in our state. I look forward to the study proposed by the legislature. It’s a good first step and one that I hope lays the foundation for future action. This much is clear – the more we can lower prices for consumers, the more competitive our businesses will be."
According to the Connecticut Mirror, the bill allows liquor permittees to sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, and on Mondays following a Christmas or New Year's Day holiday that falls on a Sunday.
