Hopes fade for Sunday liquor sales bill

MONTGOMERY -- A statewide bill authorizing Sunday liquor referendums in 14 Alabama cities -- including Florence and Sheffield -- appeared dead Thursday, the last day of the 2007 legislative session.

The bill, by Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, was supported by the hospitality industry, retail stores, the travel and tourism industry, and Tuscaloosa officials.

Opponents said Sunday liquor sales would disturb the day of the week traditionally dedicated to church, family and relief from drinking.

Ford's bill was on the Senate calendar but was in danger of dying without being called up for a vote during a Senate filibuster over political action committee contributions that began at 10 a.m.

The session was expected to end at midnight.

Sen. Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, undeterred by a punch to the side of the head from Sen. Charles Bishop, R-Arley, blamed the minority of 17 senators for killing the last legislative day.

"You people need to look yourselves in the eye; you put this session in shambles,'' Barron said.

The Senate debated only three bills, then passed several amended bills sent from the House that had adjourned, and the Sunday liquor sales bill never made it to a special order calendar.

Barron, chairman of the agenda-setting Rules Committee, said it was his intention to put the Sunday liquor sales bill on a third special order calendar. The Senate never got off the first calendar.

The House, in a 59-28 vote, passed Ford's bill that would allow Sunday liquor referendums in numerous cities.

Florence has limited Sunday liquor sales but Sheffield does not allow Sunday sales. A separate local bill authorizing on-premise Sunday sales in hotels and restaurants in Sheffield passed earlier.

Ford's legislation would authorize but does not require the city councils in each city to schedule referendums on Sunday liquor sales.

State Sen. Phil Poole, D-Tuscaloosa, predicted earlier Thursday the bill wouldn't pass. He said he would have voted against the bill.

The legislation also would have affected Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Decatur, Dothan, Enterprise, Gadsden, Ozark, Selma, Sylacauga, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.