Tag Archives: Sunday Growlers

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Nisswa Minnesota Breweries Petition City Council to Allow Sunday Growler Sales

The brewers are getting restless in Nisswa, MN.

The brewers of Nisswa Minnesota want to be able to sell growlers of their beer on Sundays. The only problem, the Nisswa City Council won’t allow it.

Last year’s legalization of Sunday growler sales has seen widespread success across the Minnesota. However, one of the stipulations of the new law states that brewers must gain approval from their local municipality before being able to take part in the delicious freedom of convenient commerce. So, you have Nisswa Minnesota.

After twice asking, and twice being voted down, the local brewers of Big Axe and Gull Dam are gathering signatures and hoping that the third time is the charm. If anything, obstacles like these lend credence to the opinion that when Sunday liquor sales are legalized, it should be legalized statewide.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

Minnesota Sunday Growler Sales are Bittersweet

A Celebratory Beer

Some Minnesota craft breweries have started selling growlers on Sundays since the Minnesota legislature passed the 2015 liquor omnibus bill and Governor Dayton signed the bill into law. Several Minnesota cities such as Mongomery, Buffalo, Shakopee, and Goodview all moved swiftly to give their local small brewers and brewpubs the option to sell growlers on Sundays. Today, Minneapolis and Duluth will join the ranks of municipalities that will give qualifying brewers the option to sell, and consumers the choice to buy, growlers of local craft beer on Sundays in Minnesota.

First Sunday growler sale!! Enjoy buddy!

Posted by Hayes’ Public House on Sunday, May 24, 2015

More Equal Than Others

Sadly, several Minnesota craft brewers are now further isolated from brewing brethren. Even before the change brewers like Schell’s, Summit, and Surly couldn’t sell growlers Mon-Sat. The law change clearly illustrates Minnesota laws purposely dividing the Minnesota brewing industry, much like the needless production and distribution restrictions on our award winning brewpubs. A full repeal would have given all Minnesota liquor retailers an equal opportunity while maintaining a (mostly) level playing field.

Excuses and Exceptions

The option to sell growlers is surely a victory for some small brewers and consumers alike. However, the baby step of allowing growlers is bittersweet for many Minnesota consumers. The vast majority of Minnesotans support repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales, not just some brewpubs and breweries. Sunday growlers was the smallest step that could have been taken down the road toward full repeal. Sunday growlers sales do not benefit liquor stores that want to be open, or consumers of wine or spirits, or Minnesota Craft Distillers. And, Sunday growler sales certainly do not help consumers that don’t live near a qualifying brewery or would rather not pay growler prices.

Many legislators offered excuses for not supporting an amendment. One legislator was afraid of lawsuit,  some legislators cited competition concerns for municipal owned and operated liquor stores, and some legislators wanted statewide repeal instead of the municipal option that Rep. Jenifer Loon’s amendment would have provided.

Strangely enough, Sunday growler sales is now legal in Minnesota, but via the municipal option many cited for avoiding full repeal. Minnesota cities, or governing bodies with jurisdiction, may choose not to allow the Sunday growlers if their leaders don’t like the change. In Saint Paul, retiring longtime City Council member Dave Thune voted against Sunday growler sales.

Next Steps

The change to allow Sunday growlers in Minnesota, if a municipality approves, is certainly a positive step toward full repeal. But, Sunday growler sales is the smallest of steps that the Minnesota Legislature could have taken toward full repeal of the Sunday prohibition on off-sale liquor sales. There is much further to go before Minnesota liquor laws reach a level of parity with most of America and every surrounding state. Maybe by next session a year of consumers driving past liquor stores on Sundays to go breweries will soften the opposition from special interest groups like Teamsters Joint Council 32, Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association, The Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Assoc, and Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association.

The Best way to move legislators to full repeal is with action.
Minnesotans supporting full repeal need to do several things:

  • Sign the petition to allow Sunday liquor sales at SundaySalesMN.org, share it with friends and family.
  • Politely contact legislators regarding their votes on Sunday liquor sales amendments (record below). You can find your legislators contact info here.
  • Vote out legislators that refuse to listen to their constituents.
  • Support legislators that are listening to Minnesota consumers. Volunteer, donate, and take advantage of the Political Contribution Refund. The Political Contribution Refund program gives eligible Minnesota voters a tax refund for contributions to parties and state-level candidates. The maximum annual refund is $50 for an individual or $100 for a married couple (if you file a joint Political Contribution Refund application). Full details and instructions on Political Contribution Refunds here.

How They Voted

MN Senate Vote on Sunday Liquor Sales – 2015
Dist Last Name First Name Party Vote
1 Stumpf LeRoy A. DFL N
2 Skoe Rod DFL N
3 Bakk Thomas M. DFL N
4 Eken Kent DFL N
5 Saxhaug Tom DFL N
6 Tomassoni David J. DFL N
7 Reinert Roger J. DFL Y
8 Ingebrigtsen Bill R N
9 Gazelka Paul E. R N
10 Ruud Carrie R N
11 Lourey Tony DFL N
12 Westrom Torrey N. R N
13 Fischbach Michelle L. R excused
14 Pederson John C. R N
15 Brown David M. R N
16 Dahms Gary H. R N
17 Koenen Lyle DFL N
18 Newman Scott J. R Y
19 Sheran Kathy DFL excused
20 Dahle Kevin L. DFL Y
21 Schmit Matt DFL Y
22 Weber Bill R N
23 Hoffman John A. DFL N
23 Rosen Julie A. R N
24 Jensen Vicki DFL N
25 Senjem David H. R Y
26 Nelson Carla J. R Y
27 Sparks Dan DFL N
28 Miller Jeremy R. R Y
29 Anderson Bruce D. R N
30 Kiffmeyer Mary R Y
31 Benson Michelle R. R Y
31 Carlson Jim DFL N
32 Nienow Sean R. R Y
33 Osmek David J. R Y
34 Limmer Warren R N
35 Petersen Branden R Y
37 Johnson Alice M. DFL N
38 Chamberlain Roger C. R excused
39 Housley Karin R Y
40 Eaton Chris A. DFL N
41 Goodwin Barb DFL excused
42 Scalze Bev DFL Y
43 Wiger Charles W. DFL N
44 Bonoff Terri E. DFL Y
45 Rest Ann H. DFL N
46 Latz Ron DFL N
47 Ortman Julianne E. R Y
48 Hann David W. R Y
49 Franzen Melisa DFL Y
50 Wiklund Melissa H. DFL N
52 Metzen James P. DFL N
53 Kent Susan DFL Y
54 Sieben Katie DFL Y
55 Pratt Eric R. R Y
56 Hall Dan D. R Y
57 Clausen Greg D. DFL N
58 Thompson Dave R Y
59 Champion Bobby Joe DFL Y
60 Dziedzic Kari DFL N
61 Dibble D. Scott DFL Y
62 Hayden Jeff DFL N
63 Torres Ray Patricia DFL N
64 Cohen Richard DFL N
65 Pappas Sandra L. DFL Y
66 Marty John DFL Y
67 Hawj Foung DFL Y
MN House Vote on Sunday Liquor Sales – 2015
Dist Last Name First Name Party Vote
01A Fabian Dan R N
01B Kiel Debra R Y
02A Hancock Dave R Y
02B Green Steve R N
03A Dill David DFL N
03B Murphy Mary DFL N
04A Lien Ben DFL Y
04B Marquart Paul DFL N
05A Persell John DFL N
05B Anzelc Tom DFL N
06A Melin Carly DFL N
06B Metsa Jason DFL N
07A Schultz Jennifer DFL N
07B Simonson Erik DFL N
08A Nornes Bud R Y
08B Franson Mary R Y
09A Anderson Mark R Y
09B Kresha Ron R Y
10A Heintzeman Josh R N
10B Lueck Dale R N
11A Sundin Mike DFL N
11B Rarick Jason R N
12A Backer Jeff R N
12B Anderson Paul R N
13A Howe Jeff R
13B O’Driscoll Tim R N
14A Theis Tama R N
14B Knoblach Jim R N
15A Erickson Sondra R N
15B Newberger Jim R Y
16A Swedzinski Chris R N
16B Torkelson Paul R N
17A Miller Tim R Y
17B Baker Dave R N
18A Urdahl Dean R N
18B Gruenhagen Glenn R N
19A Johnson Clark DFL Y
19B Considine, Jr. John (Jack) DFL N
20A Vogel Bob R Y
20B Bly David DFL N
21A Kelly Tim R Y
21B Drazkowski Steve R Y
22A Schomacker Joe R N
22B Hamilton Rod R Y
23A Gunther Bob R N
23B Cornish Tony R N
24A Petersburg John R Y
24B Daniels Brian R Y
25A Quam Duane R N
25B Norton Kim DFL Y
26A Liebling Tina DFL Y
26B Pierson Nels R Y
27A Bennett Peggy R N
27B Poppe Jeanne DFL N
28A Pelowski Jr. Gene DFL N
28B Davids Greg R N
29A McDonald Joe R Y
29B O’Neill Marion R Y
30A Zerwas Nick R Y
30B Lucero Eric R Y
31A Daudt Kurt R Y
31B Hackbarth Tom R N
32A Johnson Brian R N
32B Barrett Bob R N
33A Hertaus Jerry R Y
33B Pugh Cindy R Y
34A Peppin Joyce R Y
34B Smith Dennis R Y
35A Whelan Abigail R Y
35B Scott Peggy R Y
36A Uglem Mark R Y
36B Hortman Melissa DFL N
37A Newton Jerry DFL N
37B Sanders Tim R Y
38A Runbeck Linda R Y
38B Dean Matt R N
39A Dettmer Bob R Y
39B Lohmer Kathy R N
40A Nelson Michael V. DFL N
40B Hilstrom Debra DFL N
41A Bernardy Connie DFL N
41B Laine Carolyn DFL N
42A Yarusso Barb DFL Y
42B Isaacson Jason DFL
43A Fischer Peter DFL N
43B Lillie Leon DFL N
44A Anderson Sarah R Y
44B Applebaum Jon DFL N
45A Carlson Sr. Lyndon DFL Y
45B Freiberg Mike DFL Y
46A Winkler Ryan DFL N
46B Youakim Cheryl DFL N
47A Nash Jim R Y
47B Hoppe Joe R N
48A Selcer Yvonne DFL Y
48B Loon Jenifer R Y
49A Erhardt Ron DFL N
49B Rosenthal Paul DFL Y
50A Slocum Linda DFL N
50B Lenczewski Ann DFL N
51A Masin Sandra DFL N
51B Halverson Laurie DFL N
52A Hansen Rick DFL N
52B Atkins Joe DFL N
53A Ward JoAnn DFL N
53B Fenton Kelly R Y
54A Schoen Dan DFL N
54B McNamara Denny R Y
55A Loonan Bob R Y
55B Albright Tony R Y
56A Christensen Drew R Y
56B Peterson Roz R Y
57A Mack Tara R Y
57B Wills Anna R Y
58A Koznick Jon R Y
58B Garofalo Pat R Y
59A Mullery Joe DFL N
59B Dehn Raymond DFL N
60A Loeffler Diane DFL Y
60B Kahn Phyllis DFL Y
61A Hornstein Frank DFL Y
61B Thissen Paul DFL N
62A Clark Karen DFL N
62B Allen Susan DFL Y
63A Davnie Jim DFL N
63B Wagenius Jean DFL N
64A Murphy Erin DFL N
64B Pinto Dave DFL N
65A Moran Rena DFL N
65B Mariani Carlos DFL N
66A Hausman Alice DFL Y
66B Lesch John DFL N
67A Mahoney Tim DFL N
67B Johnson Sheldon DFL N
Legislative Events, Newsfeed

2015 Saint Paul City Council Race and Sunday Liquor Sales

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The 2015 Minnesota legislative session has thus far been a busy one with lawmakers introducing several bills aimed at easing the restrictions on Sunday off-sale liquor sales. Bills include everything from a Sunday sales pilot program, to growlers for qualifying brewers, a local option allowing municipalities to lift the ban, and full repeal.

SundaySalesMN

If legislation supporting a local option to allow individual municipalities to lift the ban on Sunday sales were to pass this session, the future of Sunday liquor, beer and wine sales in the city of Saint Paul will be in the hands of its city council members.

With that in mind we reached out to 21 candidates who have announced their intent to run for city council seats across all seven of Saint Paul’s Council Wards. We asked all of the candidates to respond to the following questions:

1. Minnesota Farm Wineries are allowed to sell bottles of wine on Sundays. Should qualifying local brewers be allowed to sell 64 oz / 750 ml growlers of beer on Sundays?
2. Several bills have been introduced to the 2015 state legislature that may ease or repeal the statewide ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales. If the Sunday liquor ban is repealed, would you vote to allow Saint Paul liquor stores to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays?

The candidates’ responses are below or follow the links for a specific ward.

Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 4
Ward 5
Ward 6
Ward 7

*Editors note: If there are any candidates that would like to be included in this guide or if you find any inaccuracies, please send an email here, we will continue to update this poll as more information is received.

Ward 1

Trahern Crews – Green Party
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes. Brewers should be able to sell 64 oz/750 ml growlers on Sunday.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes! Saint Paul could use the tax dollars that escape to Wisconsin every Sunday.”

Dai Thao – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes, if there is an option to opt out by retailers without penalty.”

Samakab Hussein – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Mohamed Said – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Ward 2

Marit Brock – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes, I support Sunday growler sales, and I am proud to see the growth of local breweries in Ward 2 and throughout Saint Paul. I want to make sure that Ward 2 is a great environment for small, family-owned businesses that really make up our American dream, and this includes local brewers in our ward like Bad Weather, Great Waters, Tin Whiskers, Vine Park, and Wabasha Brewing. We should work hard to support our local family-owned businesses and not restrict their business with rules that may no longer fit our times.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes, I support the right of Saint Paul liquor stores to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays. I believe that the ban on Sunday sales is outdated and no longer reflects the needs of our communities. Many liquor stores are small businesses, and we should support their efforts to succeed and not restrict their business with rules like a ban on Sunday sales.”

Louis Garcia – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I support brewers, wineries, and businesses that sell their products. The city shouldn’t impose any law that prevents these establishments to serve consumers seven days a week. I’m opposed to this restriction at the state level and will be an advocate to repeal the statewide ban on Sunday off-sale liquor, beer, and wine sales.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“The state should not require or dictate what days of the week a businesses should be open. Each business should be able to decide if they want to keep their establishment open on Sunday. If the ban is repealed I will be an advocate for Saint Paul’s business interest and should the state contradict our interests, I will work at the city level to protect our businesses.”

Cara Martner – Independence Party
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I certainly believe if Wineries are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays that local qualifying brewers should be allowed to do the same.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Although I am personally disappointed by the amount of effort and focus that goes into fighting the Sunday liquor ban year after year when there are more important issues to focus on for the future of Saint Paul, I agree that each liquor store should be given the right to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays.”

Rebecca Noecker – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes, absolutely. Maintaining separate standards for wineries and breweries makes no sense and is discriminatory. The exciting interest in local brewing promises to bring much-needed local business to our city, expanding our tax base and making Saint Paul more attractive to young professionals and recent college graduates looking for a place to call home. We should be doing all we can to encourage and support this burgeoning field; imposing a double-standard does exactly the opposite.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes. While I am in favor of repealing the ban on Sunday liquor, beer and wine sales, I believe business owners have the right to decide their operating hours based on what they feel will make most sense for their business.”

Darren Tobolt – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I’m excited by the expanding brewing economy in Saint Paul. I understand that this is an issue for consideration by the state legislature and would require a state law change. If that law were to pass, I would support modifying necessary city ordinances to support the small brewing community. Something I believe we can do under current law is change our ordinance to allow growler sales until 10pm on weeknights, I would like to explore that option to encourage development in Saint Paul.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“If the State of Minnesota were to allow Sunday sales, I would certainly be open to easing city ordinances to support all of our small businesses.”

Ward 3

Chris Tolbert – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes. Minnesota’s current blue laws are out-of-date and bad for our local business owners. The City should take steps to ease these restrictions. In Minnesota we have a booming craft beer industry and we should support these entrepreneurs and give Minnesota consumers the option to buy a growler of their favorite brew on a Sunday.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes, should the Sunday liquor ban be repealed, I would vote to allow Saint Paul liquor stores to individually choose whether or not to operate on Sundays. That decision should be in the hands of the store owners. Any attempt to continue to ban the sale of off-sale liquor in Saint Paul after a repeal of the statewide sunday liquor ban would negatively impact Saint Paul businesses and Saint Paul residents.”

Ward 4

Russ Stark – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Yes.”

Curtis Stock – Independent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes of course. Politicians cowering to their big contributors crushed this item before. It makes no sense to make a great craft beer community that brings people here then tell patrons and visitors that they can’t take some home to enjoy because it’s Sunday.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Again, yes of course. A business should be allowed to decide when they are open for business. On-sale is legal on Sunday and off-sale should be as well.”

Ward 5

David Glass – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“As a small business owner in the hospitality industry for almost 20 years I know and understand the struggles of revenue streams. I believe in promoting local businesses, all businesses should be able to operate on Sundays if they choose. I believe local breweries should have the same options as everyone else we need a fair and equal business environment.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“As a small business owner in the hospitality industry for almost 20 years I know and understand the struggles of revenue streams. I believe in promoting local businesses, all businesses should be able to operate on Sundays if they choose. If elected to the City Council, I would vote to give liquor businesses the same opportunities to operate on Sundays as everyone else.”

Amy Brendmoen – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
Yes.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
Yes.

Ward 6

James Lockwood – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“In more ways than one, Minnesota’s craft brewers and distillers are revitalizing whole neighborhoods and communities and helping to bring new vitality to our cities and state. It only makes sense to bring parity between these artisan industries that are giving the state a national reputation for creativity, quality and livability.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Saint Paul’s residents deserve to be able to shop where they live, whether it’s a Friday, Monday, or Sunday. Additionally, as a city, we can’t afford to see our tax revenues go to neighboring communities because of differing blue laws. Personally, I would like to buy wine on Sunday to go with the dinner I bought on Sunday, so, yes, I would support Sunday liquor sales in Saint Paul.”

Dan Bostrom – DFL Incumbent
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Ward 7

Elliott Nickell – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Saint Paul has many great small craft breweries, and they should be supported. I support craft beer Sunday growler sales.“

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“I support the repeal of the ban. Currently, Minnesota loses out on tax revenue to Wisconsin, because people drive there to buy beer, liquor, or wine on Sundays. As I am writing this, on Super Bowl Sunday, many people are driving to Wisconsin to buy beer. I would support allowing liquor stores to decide whether or not to operate on Sundays.”

Jane Prince – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“My answer to both questions is an enthusiastic yes. One of my campaign priorities is to increase our city’s support of locally owned independent businesses, who offer tremendous vitality to the local economy. I am very supportive of removing barriers to the success of local businesses.”

Paul Sawyer – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“I would like to see this expanded to local brewers. Saint Paul has a thriving brewing industry which should be supported as much as possible.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“Should the legislature allow for Sunday sales, I am in favor of allowing liquor stores in Saint Paul to engage in Sunday sales. This option is good for consumers and for businesses.”

John Slade – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
“Yes, if farm wineries can sell their product on Sundays, local brewers should be able to sell growlers. This is not only justice, but it’s important for promoting local businesses and local production.”

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
“If bars are allowed to sell liquor on Sundays, then off-sale should follow suit. There are only two days that most people have off of work, and it makes no sense to keep them from buying wine, beer, and liquor to take home on one of those two days.”

Steve Frazer – DFL
Candidate supports Sunday growler sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Candidate supports repeal of the ban on Sunday off-­sale liquor, beer, and wine sales?
*Candidate has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

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Democratic Visions on Minnesota Liquor Law

Mary Stanik: Minnesota Liquor Law

Author, Democratic Visions commentator, and Minnpost contributor Mary Stanik gives her thoughts on the failure of a 2014 Minnesota legislative bill that would have permitted Sunday liquor store sales.

Democratic Visions is hand crafted by volunteers (mostly DFLers) from Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina and Bloomington and can be seen on the following cable systems:
Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie – Comcast Channel 15 – Sundays at 9 p.m., Mondays at 10:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Minneapolis – MTN Channel 16 – Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ; Mondays at 3:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m
Bloomington – BCAT Cable Channel 16 – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.; Fridays at 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Legislative Events, Newsfeed

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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Omnibus liquor bill offered to House with no ability to amend, passes after objections

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A case of mistaken identity

Somehow a gambling bill became a liquor bill Thursday when Rep Joe Atkins (D) added a bevvy of liquor provisions from the existing liquor omnibus liquor bill, but none that would include Sunday growlers for small Minnesota brewers. Rep Atkins tried to justify the unusual procedures by shifting blame to the Senate.

“This is not my preferred approach to this bill,” Atkins said. “But these are all of the provisions proven to be noncontroversial. If we add Sunday growler sales, the Senate won’t take it up.”

In reality the Senate passed liquor a bill with Sunday growlers provisions, and with bipartisan support.

Can you really do that?

Remember the electronic gambling machines in bars that were supposed to pay for a new Minnesota Vikings Stadium? The bill in question was related to electronic gambling fraud, and electronic gaming machines. The shaky premise was that gaming machines are in bars, that means the bill being amended is about liquor. The move was unconventional enough to raise objections citing Rule of the House 3.21.

ARTICLE III – MOTIONS, AMENDMENTS, AND OTHER PROPOSITIONS 3.21 MOTIONS AND PROPOSITIONS MUST BE GERMANE.

(a) A motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration must not be admitted under guise of its being an amendment. A motion, amendment, or other proposition offered to the House is out of order if it is not germane to the matter under consideration. Whether a proposition is germane to the matter under consideration is a question to be decided by the presiding officer, who may put the question to the House. (b) An amendment to an amendment on the House floor must relate only to the primary amendment, without introducing any new subject. Speaker Thissen (D) did not rule on the objection, but put the rules in question to the members for a vote. To his credit Speaker Thissen was among those that voted to find the point of order “well taken.”

“I am going to vote with Drazkowski, as shocking as that may be.” said Rep. Tina Leibling (D).

Continue reading Omnibus liquor bill offered to House with no ability to amend, passes after objections →

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Senate liquor omnibus tabled


If you are into policy or have some time to kill you can watch the entire reading here.

No go for local option

Senator Jeremy Miller (R), introduced an amendment to allow a local opt-in for Sunday liquor sales. He stressed the importance for border communities that lose business across state lines. Senator Metzen suggested that such a bill be heard in his commerce committee first, of course this is a bill that he chose not have heard earlier in the session.
– Not adopted

Those who voted in the affirmative were:
Michelle R. Benson (31, R)
Terri E. Bonoff (44, DFL)
Continue reading Senate liquor omnibus tabled →

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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.