Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is expected to throw his support behind a law allowing liquor stores and supermarkets to sell alcohol on Sundays, officials said Friday.
Malloy has scheduled a 1:30 p.m. press conference in Enfield Saturday where he is expected to unveil a legislative proposal allowing Sunday alcohol sales, a long-time controversial issue in the state of Connecticut that has pitted some package store owners against lawmakers seeking to bring in more tax revenue to the state’s coffers.
Malloy spokesman Andrew Doba said Sunday alcohol sales represents a competiveness issue because it will allow mom and pop businesses to compete with liquor stores in surrounding states like Massachusetts, which do allow for the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
A legislative report last year estimated the state could reap an additional $7.5 million to $8 million in tax revenue. But the Connecticut Package Store Association has opposed the bill over the years, saying it would cost each store at least $14,000 a year and would drive hundreds out of business.
