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Hopes drained for Sunday liquor sales bill, even though poll says most want it

A Star Tribune Minnesota Poll says most Minnesotans would like to buy alcohol at liquor stores on Sunday, but it appears a bill that would make it so is on the rocks in the Legislature.
The poll says 62 percent of respondents support the proposal;

A Star Tribune Minnesota Poll says most Minnesotans would like to buy alcohol at liquor stores on Sunday, but it appears a bill that would make it so is on the rocks in the Legislature.

The poll says 62 percent of respondents support the proposal; Minnesota is one of only 13 states with the Sunday prohibition. But the liquor lobby has long opposed any attempts to open liquor stores on Sundays, and it appears they’ve prevailed yet again.

Don Davis of the Fargo Forum notes that the measure failed in a Senate committee and is unlikely to be uncorked there again, and that House members did not even vote on the issue after some debate Tuesday.

He says Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, weighed in, saying Minnesotans are crossing state lines to get their Sunday sips. 

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And Rep. John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove, said that he makes many Sunday trips to pick up beer in Hudson, Wis., and he felt he should be able to buy beer in Minnesota.

Responded Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker: “If you cannot plan ahead … you probably shouldn’t be drinking.”