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On the 7th Day, States Look to Down Blue Laws

Economy tanked, some seek shot of revenue in Sunday booze sales

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2009 3:22 PM CST

(Newser) – Recession blues could swallow blue laws, Time reports. State legislatures in Georgia, Connecticut, Texas, Alabama, and Minnesota hope lifting a ban on Sunday alcohol sales will boost revenues. But Christian activists oppose the move, saying cash-strapped families are already feeling pressure. “I don't think we need to add even more pressure to those families by passing this law,” said one.

Historians say politicians, including FDR, often ease alcohol bans to shore up revenue in tough economic climates, and this time will be no different. “It will happen,” one economic professor predicts. “It’s just a matter of when.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (3)]

A customer carries a six-pack of Corona beer, a Constellation Brand, through Chuck's Beverage store in Chagrin Falls, Ohio in this Oct. 5, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, file)

A handful of state legislatures have declared it's closing time for Sunday alcohol sales restrictions, saying an extra day of sales could give their foundering budgets a much-needed shot of revenue. (Shutter Stock)

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Slowly and systematically we've seen these laws lifted in past century, even more so when there has been an economic downturn.
- David Laband,
economics professor, author

States realize that consumers will migrate to a place where they can buy what they want. So once the economy goes bad, then the cost of their policies are apparent to them. - David Laband,
economics professor, author

At least it's a drop. Maybe it's even a cup full. But right now, I'd like to have a couple of cups full than nothing at all. - Seth Harp, Georgia state senator

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On the 7th Day, States Look to Down Blue Laws