A bill that would allow liquor sales on Sundays and on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve — but not Christmas Day — has been introduced in the state Senate by Sen. Roger Reinert. Minnesota is one of only 14 states that forbids Sunday retail liquor sales.

Reinert, a first-term state senator, who’d also served a term in the state House, is from Duluth, which is affected the state’s current Sunday liquor ban more than some other parts of the state, because Sunday liquor sales are allowed in neighboring Superior, Wis.

And in a statement about the bill, Reinert questions our state pride:

“Minnesota’s current statutes prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays puts our state at a competitive and economic disadvantage — particularly in communities that border Wisconsin. Wisconsin already got a win with the Packers going to the Super Bowl, why give them another win with Minnesota tax dollars?”

His release also says:

Analysts for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) found that cross border purchases by Minnesotans driving to Wisconsin account for about 3.1 percent of the Badger State’s taxed liquor sales.

 “This bill is about the free market, giving both businesses and consumers a choice,” Sen. Reinert said. “Stores could still choose to be closed on Sundays, and consumers could choose not to make a purchase. But let’s allow for the choice.”

 A law change would also generate up to $10.6 million in tax revenue, according to DISCUS analysis. 

The state House defeated a similar bill last year; proponents said it would increase state revenue because of the added liquor taxes, but opponents said it would be a burden on municipal liquor stores and small businesses, which would have to hire extra staff.