Tag Archives: beer on Sunday

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Sunday Liquor Sales Bills Introduced in Minnesota Legislature

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visit sundaysalesmn.org Sunday Liquor Sales #SundaySalesMN #ItsTime #MnLeg

Lawmakers introduce several bills aimed at easing the restrictions on Sunday off-sale liquor sales.

Sen. Dave Osmek (R -Mound) introduced the first Senate version of a Sunday liquor sales bill, SF58. SF58 would allow off-sale transactions from 12:00pm to 10:00pm on Sundays. Expect another version at some point from long time Sunday sales champion Sen. Roger Reinert (D -Duluth).

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A six-pack of liquor bills have been introduced in the House. Bills include everything from a Sunday sales pilot program, to growlers for qualifying brewers, a local option, and full repeal. The most appealing of the House bills is likely the bipartisan authored HF115, the full Sunday repeal. Special interest groups have fought growlers as much as a full repeal in the past, they are likely to do so again. Opposition might as well fight full repeal, a bill that serves every Minnesotan. A full repeal bill may also act as a the local option. When Sunday liquor sales are legalized at the state level, cities may still choose to restrict the days and hours of sales, as they already do. Expect at least one more version of a repeal bill from Rep. Jenifer Loon (R -Eden Prairie). Representative Loon has been working hard to repeal the prohibition on Sunday liquor sales for some time.

The Bill

H. F. 115, A bill for an act relating to liquor; permitting off-sale intoxicating liquor sales on Sunday; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 340A.504, subdivision 4.

Description:
Intoxicating liquor off-sale permitted on Sunday.
Authors:
Drazkowski (R -Mazeppa)
Liebling (D -Rochester)
Pugh (R -Chanhassen)
Whelan (R -Anoka)
Lien (D -Moorhead)
Petersburg (R -Waseca)
Lucero (R -Dayton)
Hertaus (R -Greenfield)
Christensen (D -Burnsville)
O’Neill (R -Maple Lake)

Bipartisan Support

The effort to repeal Sunday is supported by both the Democratic Governor Mark Dayton and Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt.

“Commerce is well enough established as seven days and nights a week now, ” Dayton said. “For us to say it doesn’t apply to this or doesn’t apply to that really doesn’t make much sense. There are an increasing number of Minnesotans for which Sunday isn’t a religious holiday.”
– Star Tribune, December 28, 2013

Speaker Daudt went so far as to make it his new year’s resolution.

“In 2015, I want to be able to buy beer on Sundays in Minnesota.”
–Star Tribune, January 4, 2015

Trouble Ahead

However, not everyone supports bringing Minnesota into the modern era. Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk (D -Cook) has voiced opposition to the repeal of the blue law. A recent article from Star Tribune cites Bakk as supporting the Sunday liquor sales ban on behalf of government run municipal liquor stores.

“Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he remains opposed to a repeal on behalf of municipal liquor stores….”
– Star Tribune, January 11, 2015

Commerce Committees have always been a sticking point. Regardless of overwhelming support Commerce Committee Chairs are not required to give Sunday sales bills a hearing in their committees, and usually do not. Senate Commerce Chair, Sen Jim Metzen (D -South St. Paul), has never given a full repeal bill a hearing. Let’s hope incoming House Commerce Chair, Rep. Joe Hoppe (R -Chaska) hears the bills.

What Now?

Take action!

Sunday Liquor Sales #SundaySalesMN #ItsTime #MnLeg

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2014 Candidate Survey Results

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Where does your candidate stand on issues important to brewers, distillers, and consumers in Minnesota?

 

Minnesota Beer Activists and Minnesota Distillers Guild have compiled House candidate positions on some key issues. Please share it with your friends and anyone that may find it useful.
[wpsr_socialbts]

To look up your legislative district, click here. You may also jump to the data you want to see by pressing control-F and typing the name, district or keyword you want to find.

Mobile users should click here for the best view

 

Every major party gubernatorial candidate has expressed support for Sunday alcohol sales.

2014 Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidates

*Some candidates may still intend to submit survey answers. We will keep this survey up to date through the upcoming election. If think there is an error, or your candidate missed our survey they may contact us here.
*Candidate positions that have been supplied via external sources have been linked to whenever possible.

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Sunday liquor sales is a hot topic at the Minnesota State Fair

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During an election year the Minnesota State Fair is unofficially considered the beginning of the political season. At the “Great Minnesota Get-Together” political parties set up booths booths, politicians and political hopefuls make PR appearances, and debates are often held.

Politics at the Minnesota State Fair makes a lot of sense. Where else can you reach so many Minnesotans in one place? Likewise, where else can so many Minnesotans talk to politicians? That is why Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services makes use of the MN State Fair to conduct their annual fair opinion poll. Sunday liquor sales has made several appearances on the House of Representatives poll at the Minnesota State Fair, and it always gets favorable results.

Be sure to swing by the Education Building near Snelling Avenue & Cosgrove Street to take the poll. While you are there you can visit with House Members and see if they represent Minnesota consumers, or if they side with special interests. The Independence Party of Minnesota has been running their own Sunday liquor sales poll at the Minnesota Sate Fair. In 2014 the Independence Party of Minnesota adopted a resolution to support full repeal of Sunday Blue Laws.

The Independence Party booth is situated near Dan Patch and Underwood, not too far from the Grandstand.

Independence Party of Minnesota supports Sundays liquor sales
Photo Credit: Sally Paulsen

Update: Supporters for Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Jeff Johnson are also talking Sunday beer sales at the Minnesota State Fair. Johnson has been a vocal supporter of repealing the prohibition on Sunday alcohol sales since early in his campaign. You can find the Johnson for Governor booth on the west side of Underwood, between Wright and Dan Patch Ave.

Jeff Johnson for Governor supports Sunday liquor sales
Photo Credit: @VandykeBrown
Sunday liquor sales is a hot topic at the Minnesota State Fair
Photo Credit: @AngieHasek
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Special Interests and Crony Politics Stop Sunday Growler Sales for Minnesota Brewers

The initiative to legalize Sunday liquor sales, a perennial issue at the Minnesota legislature, has once again met defeat at the hands of Minnesota lawmakers. Advocates for repeal tried a different approach for this year by offering a an array of bills ranging from full repeal to growler (64oz jugs) sales at qualifying small Minnesota breweries and brewpubs.

Sunday growler sales were adopted by both House and Senate Commerce Committees with little discussion. It appeared there would be some small progress toward Sunday liquor sales. Then, having taken no part in the public process, lobbyists for the  powerful Joint Council 32 Teamsters Union stepped in. (Read)

Former Teamster and Senate Tax Committee Chairman Sen. Rod Skoe (D-Clearwater), pulled the bill into the Senate Tax committee. The tax hearing, which had exceptionally short notice to the public, lasted less than 5 minutes and resulted in a the Senate version of the liquor bill without growlers. The full Senate added the Sunday growler provision back to the bill the very next day only to have the bill’s author, Sen Jim Metzen (D-South St. Paul), table the bill. (Read)

Faced with a liquor bill that contained several politically important provisions, including beer sales at TCF Stadium, House author Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights) took the controversial step of amended a gambling amendment. The gambling (now liquor bill) amendment included all the previously approved liquor provisions except Sunday growlers. But, because of House rules no amendments further could be offered. (Read) Rep Atkins tried to justify the unusual procedures by shifting blame to the Senate. In reality the Senate passed a liquor bill with Sunday growlers provisions, and with bipartisan support. (Video)

The un-amendable liquor bill put members of the House in an awkward situation. Representatives were left with no opportunity to discuss or amend the bill on behalf of their constituents. After much discussion about rules and procedures members voted to accept the now gambling/liquor omnibus bill as it was presented, without Sunday growler sales.

“The public’s voice was silenced today. The process utilized to bring the Omnibus Liquor bill forward lacked transparency and prohibited the ability of any member to offer an amendment on liquor issues—even though Minnesotans overwhelmingly support Sunday growler sales,” said Rep. Loon, a staunch supporter of changing the state’s outdated liquor laws. “By excluding the growler sales provision, House DFL leaders are hampering entrepreneurial activity, keeping businesses and their jobs from growing in our state.”

The new House version of the omnibus liquor bill was sent to the Senate where it passed. From there it went to Governor Dayton for a signature. Governor Dayton signed it into law earlier this week.

In a press conference last week. Sen Reinert said Sunday liquor sales is now a campaign issue. House Deputy Minority Leader Loon agreed, and a recent editorial in the Post Bulletin (Read) certainly echoes the sentiment.

No doubt Minnesotans across the state are angry. The crony politics that kept Sunday growlers, a very small Sunday liquor sales compromise, from passing have shown opposition isn’t really concerned with Mom & Pop stores after all.

The real tragedy is that Minnesota politicians that voted against Sunday growlers also voted to stifle a growing a industry. The craft brewing industry in Minnesota now accounts for some 8,000 jobs and $80 million in revenue. What could have been one of the best examples of Governor Dayton’s “Unsession” turned into a sad display politics as usual.

Thankfully Minnesota craft brewers aren’t done fighting.

“Allowing Sunday growler sales is an opportunity to help small Minnesota businesses grow,” said Jamie MacFarlane of Castle Danger Brewery. She continued, “We will miss out on Sunday growler sales this tourist season, along with all the other breweries who rely on those tourists returning home to share great beer with their friends and families. We are committed to making Sunday growlers a reality for Minnesota craft beer fans.”

To stay up on this and other topics make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter or RSS-feed and look for a voter guide coming early in the fall via SundaySalesMN.org

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Senate votes on Sunday liquor sales amendment – How they voted

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Full repeal falls short

Senator Brandon Peterson (R) offered an amendment for full repeal of Sunday sales.
Senator Peterson clearly realizes The Volstead Act is dead and it is time to put a final nail in the coffin.
Video link
– Amendment not adopted

Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Michelle R. Benson (31, R)
Continue reading Senate votes on Sunday liquor sales amendment – How they voted →

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Senate Tax Committee stripped Sunday growler sales from liquor omnibus

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Senator Rod Skoe (DFL) District 02
Senator Rod Skoe (DFL) District 02

The Senate Tax Committee met this morning to finally hear the liquor omnibus. Unfortunately, the result was as expected. The Senate Tax Committee stripped Sunday growler sales from liquor omnibus after getting getting enough voice votes to do so.

What do Sunday growler sales have to with taxes?

It seems Chairman Skoe is opposed to Sunday growler sales because he feels Sunday growler sales could eventually impact some of property taxes that might be supplemented by municipal liquor stores.

Chairman Skoe’s argument against Sunday growlers is shaky at best. It sounds a bit like the old slippery slope fallacy. Sunday growlers would not mean Sunday liquor sales for other retailers, municipal or otherwise.

“Sunday sales is Sunday sales,” Skoe said. “They were going to do an incremental approach. This is the first step, and next year they’ll be looking at six packs; and then they’ll want cases, and pretty soon they’ll go beyond.”
MPR – May 5, 2014

Now what?

With well funded special interests like the Teamsters Joint Council 32 & MN Licensed Beverage Assoc. moving to have even the small Sunday provisions killed it has never been more important to call your legislators and tell them you support a full repeal of the ban on Sunday liquor sales. Find Your Legislators.

Floor Amendments

Over 4,000 Minnesotans have sent an email to their legislators through SundaySalesMN.org.  A full repeal of Sunday liquor sales is gaining traction and many legislators are listening to the latest polls.  It is almost guaranteed that there will be floor amendments for full repeal on the House & Senate floor. If you want Sunday liquor sales passed you need to CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS!

Elections

Legislators should be expected to carry out the will of Minnesotans and repeal the ban Sunday liquor sales. Expect a full scorecard on how your elected officials voted on Sunday sales that you can take with you to the voting booth this coming November.

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Sunday sales hearings for brewers only

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Senate Commerce and House Commerce Committees heard several bills related to liquor, wine, and beer in Minnesota. Chairs of the commerce committees tend to only want to hear bills that are mostly free of controversy and contention, so it is no surprise that a full repeal on Sunday liquor sales ban wasn’t heard. Understandably, it can be hard to find support for a bill when committee members and legislators are consistently lobbied to keep pre-prohibition era laws in place by special interest groups and municipal liquor stores.

Controversy, special interests, and paid lobbying aside, it is disappointing that neither the House Commerce Committee or Senate Commerce Committee opted to hear one of the less controversial versions of the various Sunday Sales bills that would have given local jurisdictions a “local option” or a choice to opt-in / opt-out of Sunday liquor off-sale commerce. It is important to remember that under these bipartisan authored bills, the possible legalization of Sunday liquor sales would never force a store to be open whether it is a corporate giant, Mom & Pop (anyone sick of that term yet?), or municipal store. While not an ideal situation, a local option would allow Sunday sales regulations to be tailored to fit the specifics needs and wants of local jurisdictions.

We can speculate on the reasons why a bill to repeal Sunday liquor sales didn’t get heard. Maybe the paid professional lobbyists are too good, perhaps legislators didn’t hear from enough consumers, or maybe some legislators just don’t give a damn about voters. Whatever the case is, a repeal on Sunday liquor sales won’t be moving through commerce the commerce committees this session.

On a more positive note, small brewers in Minnesota were given 3 positive hearings. Bills allowing taprooms to open on Sundays, allow growler sales on Sundays, and allow brewers the option to fill growlers from other brewers were all laid over for possible inclusion into a larger liquor omnibus to be voted on sometime in the future. Of the 3 brewer bills that were heard only one had a similar version heard in the House committee. That means that a conference committee will be required to work out any possible differences between Senate and House versions of the omnibus liquor bills.

We are really excited to move forward with Sunday growler sales. I look forward to a day in the near future when we can host beer lovers from near and far in our new Marshall, MN taproom and send them home with a growler of locally brewed craft beer to enjoy with friends.
-Dustin Brau, Brau Brothers Brewing Brewmaster and CEO

It is great to see Minnesota craft brewers afforded the options already available to their farm winery counterparts. The easing of these restrictions will undoubtedly help Minnesota craft brewers well into the future.

S.F. 2374
HF 2513		 Reinert
Swedzinski		 Small brewers growlers sale on Sundays authorization.
Sunday liquor sales of growlers by small brewers allowed.
(matching language non-companion)
S.F. 2375 Reinert Sunday sales at taprooms authorization.
(house companion not heard)
S.F. 2029 Reinert Malt liquor brewers growler refill authorization.
(house companion not heard)
S.F. 2014
HF 2200		 Pappas
Atkins, Hoppe, Loeffler		 Microdistilleries sales expansion authorization.
Microdistillery sales expanded. (non-matching language companion)

Video of Senate Commerce Testimony
Audio of House Commerce Testimony

Also in the great news category is potential progress for Minnesota microdistilleries. They had a pair of bills laid over that included language allowing for cocktail room (think taproom). Some negotiating is still being worked on to allow microdistilleries to sell bottles of their product. Hopefully this happens soon, Minnesota wineries and breweries sell 750ml packaged versions of their products. Minnesota microdistilleries should have parity.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES CALL TO ACTION

The legislature is quickly approaching the committee deadline.
House and Senate commerce chairs have not yet to added a full repeal version of Sunday liquor sales, or a local option to committee agendas. Passing Sunday sales this session will be an uphill battle if it doesn’t go through a committee.

YOU can get these bills into committee, but you must act fast.

  1. Make phone calls to your legislators.
    Always be courteous, but ask your representatives to support Sunday liquor sales. Ask them to push commerce leadership for hearings. This is an issue Minnesota voters support 2 to 1. It deserves a discussion even if they don’t support with it.
  2. Email your legislators.We have already sent out a form letter on your behalf. Take a minute to explain in your own words why the issue important to you. It doesn’t have to be long, just respectful and sincere.
  3. Ask your legislators to meet with you to discuss the issue.
    Meetings are the most effective and powerful way of communicating with legislators.

Find your Minnesota legislators and their contact information here: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/

Recent news editorials worth discussing with your representatives
End Minnesota ban on Sunday liquor sales, but with limited municipal flexibility
Article by: EDITORIAL BOARD , Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/250402521.html

OUR OPINION: Let Minnesota liquor stores open on Sundays
Grand Forks Herald
http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/our-opinion-let-minnesota-liquor-stores-open-sundays

ANNOUNCEMENT: ST. PATRICK’S DAY REPEAL THE SUNDAY LIQUOR BAN RALLY AT FIRST AVE
Join MN Beer Activists, talented local musicians, supporting politicians, and special guests for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration to raise awareness and raise a pint.
http://first-avenue.com/event/2014/03/stpattys

Let’s end our legacy of prohibition. It is time Minnesota stopped sending money over the borders. Pick up the phone and make that phone call. We look forward to seeing you St. Patrick’s Day evening!