Amendment to Sunday liquor laws a welcome change
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Opinion
Act 294 was passed by the Arkansas Legislature in early March, putting the decision of whether state liquor stores should be open on Sundays in the hands of Arkansas residents, not local city councils and quorum courts.
Finally, Arkansas is joining several other states that have begun to repeal "blue laws" still in place since Prohibition.
The incentive to amend such restrictions?
According to a 2008 article in U.S. News and World Report, states have repealed laws restricting Sunday liquor sales as a means for more revenue during economic downturns.
And if there's ever been an "economic downturn," we're experiencing one now.
Every year, millions of tax dollars travel across Arkansas state lines on Sundays when residents go out of state to purchase their favorite alcoholic beverages. Now, thankfully, Arkansas voters have the opportunity to keep that tax money in Arkansas, and liquor store owners can decide for themselves whether to close their doors on Sundays, a much more sensible option than the government deciding for them.
Finally, Arkansas is joining several other states that have begun to repeal "blue laws" still in place since Prohibition.
The incentive to amend such restrictions?
According to a 2008 article in U.S. News and World Report, states have repealed laws restricting Sunday liquor sales as a means for more revenue during economic downturns.
And if there's ever been an "economic downturn," we're experiencing one now.
Every year, millions of tax dollars travel across Arkansas state lines on Sundays when residents go out of state to purchase their favorite alcoholic beverages. Now, thankfully, Arkansas voters have the opportunity to keep that tax money in Arkansas, and liquor store owners can decide for themselves whether to close their doors on Sundays, a much more sensible option than the government deciding for them.
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