Gov.
Sonny Perdue reiterated in the strongest terms yet this afternoon that
he opposes the idea of allowing Georgians a vote on Sunday package
sales of beer, wine and liquor.
Perdue was asked about the issue the day after a House committee
tacked the Sunday sales bill onto legislation allowing Sunday beer
sales at Gwinnett County's new baseball stadium.
The governor, a Christian conservative who doesn't drink, said he
had hoped the House would approve the Gwinnett County bill without the
Sunday package store measure attached.
"I haven't supported this (package sales) in the past ... and
frankly, I am very concerned that it puts Gwinnett County's business in
jeopardy if the House takes it up," he said. "I think it's the wrong
thing to do at the wrong time to do it."
When asked by reporters if it was hypocritical to support
legislation allowing Sunday sales at the stadium but not at grocery and
convenience stores, Perdue responded that the Gwinnett bill was "for a
specific purpose."
He said "six days is plenty" to allow liquor sales in Georgia. "We need a little relief on Sunday," he added.
The measure still needs the approval of the House and the Senate before the Legislative session ends.
Perdue would not say if he would veto a bill that includes both the
Gwinnett measure and Sunday package sales. That's not unusual because,
in general, the governor doesn't say in advance if he'll sign or veto
legislation passed by the General Assembly.
