An effort to scrap Minnesota's long-standing ban on Sunday liquor sales has failed again in the House, but opponents of the ban came much closer than two years ago.
Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt says advocates of full liquor sales on Sundays can be assured that a vote will be held before the Legislature adjourns this year.
A Duluth lawmaker is pushing a bill that would legalize liquor sales on Sundays, even though he admits its chances are slim. Sen. Roger Reinert says consumers have wanted the change for years.
Legislation allowing Minnesota liquor stores to open on Sundays has moved along in the state Senate despite opposition from the dominant liquor lobby. The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted 8-7 on Wednesday to advance the bill to another committee.
One state senator thinks his proposal to end the ban on Sunday liquor sales might have a chance this year. Sen. Roger Reinert of Duluth says the extra tax revenue from liquor sales can help with a projected $6.4 billion shortfall in the 2012-2013 state budget.