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Sunday package sales measure facing hurdles

Bill repealing term limits for commissioners dead this session
By Charles Oliver
Dalton Daily Citizen

Voters in cities and counties across the state, including Dalton, have voted to allow the sale of alcohol by the drink on Sundays. If an amendment approved unanimously by a state House of Representatives committee this week passes, those communities will also have the chance to vote on package sales of alcohol on Sunday.

The House Regulated Industries Committee attached the amendment to a bill that has already passed the state Senate that would allow Sunday sales of alcohol at a minor league baseball stadium to be built in Gwinnett County.

The amendment would allow local governments to put a referendum on the ballot asking voters to approve Sunday sales at convenience stores and supermarkets between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Communities that already allow the sale of beer and wine could vote to legalize the sale of those drinks. And communities that allow the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits could vote to allow the sale of all three.

Georgia is one of just three states that do not permit Sunday package sales, and retailers say that puts them at a disadvantage with restaurants which may sell alcoholic drinks on Sunday in those communities that have approved it.

Rep. Ron Forster, R-Ringgold, says its “silly” for people to support the Senate bill but oppose the House amendment.

“The ones who go to a grocery store and buy a bottle of wine are going to be taking it back home. Whereas, the people at the stadium are not. They are going to have to drive back home after drinking,” he said.

State Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, thinks the Senate will likely reject the amendment, forcing the bill to go to a conference committee to iron out the differences.

“I don’t necessarily favor (Sunday sales), but I believe when something like that is brought up voters should have the opportunity to vote on it,” Thomas said.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has already indicated he may veto the measure.

“I am really upset with the governor,” said Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee.

“He said he understands serving beer at stadiums because it’s for a purpose, but he thinks six days is enough to buy alcohol (in stores),” Williams said. “Well, Sunday sales is Sunday sales. It’s a fairness issue.”

Perdue has had a number of differences with House members lately. On Thursday, for instance, he blasted a bill to eliminate the state’s car tag tax calling if “irresponsible.”

That bill passed the House 166-5 last week. It would require the state to reimburse local governments for the loss of car tag tax revenue.

“Here’s a $700 million tax break for the citizens of Georgia and he comes up and says ‘No, we can’t do that.’ I don’t understand it,” Williams said.

Williams said a bill that would repeal term limits for members of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners failed to get a vote in the House before “Crossover Day” last week. That is the final day that either chamber can enact new legislation. After that, each will only vote on bills that have been passed by the other chamber.

That means the term limits bill is dead for this session.

But another bill requested by local officials is on track, he said.

HB 1024 passed the House without opposition earlier this month, and Williams said he expects it will pass the Senate. That bill would allow cities and counties that have a portion of their property tax dedicated to recreation to get rid of that requirement if the move is approved by voters in a referendum.

Williams said that will essentially allow city councils and county commissions in the places that approve the switch to set recreation department budgets the same way they do other departments.

The Dalton City Council asked for that bill. Dalton currently dedicates 1 mill of its property tax to recreation.

Thomas said he expects the Senate will also approve the bill.