INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Alcohol Code Revision Commission voted Tuesday to recommend Sunday sales of alcohol in Indiana, but only between noon and 8 p.m. on that Sunday.
The commission still has two more scheduled meetings and will present its full, final recommendations to the General Assembly ahead of the start of session in January, but Sunday sales will be included.
The Chairman of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, Jon Sinder, released the following statement regarding the commission's recommendation:
"We applaud the commission for joining us in supporting Sunday sales. We remain committed to working directly with legislators to successfully draft and pass meaningful and impactful public policy that will allow Hoosiers to purchase alcohol for carry out on Sunday for the first time since prohibition."
On Friday, The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers and the Indiana Retail Council said that they have resolved longstanding differences, paving the way to repeal a prohibition on retail Sunday alcohol sales. The groups also announced opposition to allowing convenience and grocery stores to sell cold beer - a right long afforded to liquor stores.
"You always have to balance public safety versus business needs," said Pamela Erickson, who leads a nationwide campaign to prevent underage drinking. "We want to support our local businesses, but we also must provide for public safety."
The lobbyists' statement comes amid criticisms that lawmakers have been too deferential to Indiana's powerful liquor store owners.
Republican Senator Phil Boots, who is not part of the commission, said he believes a voice has been missing from the conversation.
"The guy who is responsibly consuming alcohol does not have a voice. He can't afford to come here, to take off his job and testify before you," he said.
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