Senate Panel Inches Sunday Liquor Sales Forward

ST. PAUL -- A Minnesota Senate panel has moved the state one step
closer to legalizing Sunday liquor sales.

The House overwhelmingly passed a bill earlier this week that would repeal the
ban. It's an historic turn in lawmakers' long struggle to change the decades-old
law.

But the Senate has long been regarded as a tougher hurdle in advocates' push to
repeal the Sunday sales ban. The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill on a
7-4 vote Wednesday.

The bill still must pass the full Senate floor. It's unclear when that may come
up for a final vote.

Gov. Mark Dayton has said he'll sign a bill legalizing Sunday sales. Minnesota
is one of just 12 states that prevents liquor stores from opening on Sundays.