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Gwinnett stadium Sunday beer sales OK'd[May.13.2008]Georgians can also buy wine over Internet Gov. Sonny Perdue has led the opposition to Sunday package store sales of alcohol, but he decided Tuesday that beer at the ballpark on the Christian Sabbath is OK. Perdue signed legislation to let Gwinnett County sell beer on Sundays at its new baseball stadium. He also signed legislation into law allowing Georgians to buy wine over the Internet. Perdue signed the liquor bills, along with dozens of other pieces of legislation, on the day before the deadline to sign or veto legislation. Under state law, Wednesday is the last day for Perdue to act on bills passed during the 2008 session. The governor is waiting until the last minute to sign or veto some of the most controversial legislation lawmakers approved during the 2008 session. That includes a bill allowing permit holders to carry concealed weapons on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol and in state parks. The governor's opposition to Sunday alcohol sales at grocery and convenience stores has helped stall the issue the past two legislative sessions. Perdue likened allowing a vote on Sunday sales to letting Georgians decide whether to legalize prostitution. However, Gwinnett business interests pushed hard for legislation allowing Sunday beer sales at the new stadium. The stadium will be home to the Atlanta Braves' top farm club. Perdue signed the Gwinnett bill without comment. The governor will sign - or veto - a long list of bills Wednesday. He also will ink the $21 billion state budget that goes into effect July 1, but not without vetoing or deferring some of the spending approved by lawmakers. The governor hinted last week that he would sign the gun bill, which he said will probably wind up in court. "I do think it will litigated and tested very soon after signing," he said. The governor later said his comment wasn't meant to be an endorsement of the bill. Perdue will also decide on legislation allowing auto insurers to raise rates on non-mandatory coverage before getting state approval. Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine opposes the bill, but supporters say it would lead to more competition and lower rates. Before signing the Gwinnett beer bill Wednesday, Perdue approved legislation to expedite the construction of new reservoirs. Senate Bill 342 also creates a fund to help local governments build or improve reservoirs and water systems. Lawmakers approved about $70 million in grants and loans for local projects. "We have taken a great step toward ensuring our state is not faced with the extreme situation the current drought has caused," said House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram). "We are protecting our natural resources and creating the needed infrastructure by preparing now for future rain shortages." The governor also signed legislation into law that will allow Georgians to freeze their credit reports to thwart identity theft. The new law caps at $3 the fees that the three major credit reporting agencies can charge for the freeze. The law also allows those over age 65 to get the freezes for free. The freeze bars credit reporting agencies from releasing information without written permission. Another bill Perdue signed, Senate Bill 388, creates the GBI's Identity Theft Task Force. Lawmakers approved $1 million in next year's budget to pay for the creation of the task force. The governor also Tuesday signed in law legislation that will allow charter school applicants rejected by their local school board to seek approval before a new state charter commission. |
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