Alcohol, again

A raft of bills governing alcohol sales is moving through the House, some of which represent a sensible easing of restrictions regarding state resorts.

The House Tourism and Travel Committee this week approved a bill that would allow state resorts, such as Joe Wheeler State Park near Rogersville, to sell alcoholic beverages any day of the week, regardless of whether the resorts are in dry counties.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay. It also covers hotels, conference centers, golf courses and clubhouses financed or owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. That affects the Robert Trent Jones courses in Colbert County and the Marriott Shoals Hotel in Florence.

At the Marriott, alcohol can be sold on Sunday thanks to voter approval by Florence residents two years ago.

At the Robert Trent Jones course and clubhouse, drinks may be purchased on Sunday, but a nominal "club membership" fee is charged to avoid the Sunday sales prohibition. Morrow's bill would eliminate the need for the club status.

Morrow's bills are a sensible solution to cutting through Alabama's patchwork of local alcohol regulations. State resorts and recreation facilities are competing not only with each other but with those in other states, many of which already give visitors the option of buying alcoholic beverages seven days a week.

Another alcohol-related bill has passed the House and been sent to the Senate. It would allow a select group of cities to hold Sunday sales referendums without first getting a petition from citizens. Sheffield is included in this group, though a local bill is pending that would allow it to hold a referendum.

This bill would allow city councils to set a referendum and write regulations governing sales.

This, too, is a sensible approach to the Sunday sales question. The public remains involved in the decision, but the process would become more streamlined.

Morrow rightly said these bills represent economic issues, not moral issues. We urge their quick passage.