Gov. Granholm to carefully review Michigan Legislature’s Sunday morning liquor sales bill

Governor to review early Sunday liquor sales bill

DETROIT — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm will carefully review a bill that, among other things, would allow Sunday morning liquor sales as a way to raise much-needed revenue for the state, according to her office.

Granholm has some concerns in the bill passed this week by the state Legislature, and there is no guarantee the term-limited Democrat will approve it, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said Thursday.

“That was a relatively simple 8-page bill that grew to 58 pages within a matter of hours,” Boyd said. “Lawmakers saw fit to include a number of things in the bill, so we need time to review the bill.”

The governor has pushed for the change in past years. Once it comes to her desk, Granholm has 14 days to review and sign it for passage.

Under the new measure, alcohol sales could start at 7 a.m. on Sunday, a change from the current law banning them from 2 a.m. to noon. Sellers would have to pay an extra $160 for a special license, which would permit sales up to 2 a.m. Monday. The money from the licenses would go to the state budget.

The bill also expands options for wine and beer-tasting functions and having alcoholic beverages at catered events with appropriate licenses.

State lawmakers approved the bill Wednesday, but proposals to extend liquor sale hours, including those on Sunday morning, are not new.

“I’ve never understood why they weren’t allowed,” said Patrick Gorman, the owner of Jack’s Market in Traverse City, about buying liquor on Sunday mornings.

“I don’t understand the significance of Sunday, besides the religious standpoint, and not everyone follows that religion,” he said. “In a state where they are trying to generate tax revenue — and they make good revenue off the taxes they put on liquor — it’s a no-brainer.”

If allowed, Gorman said he likely would not opt to pay the extra fee for a special license.

“Normally, my early morning sales are such a small amount of my overall gross anyway during any day of the week,” he said.

Others are expected to take advantage of the new hours beginning Dec. 1 if the bill makes it past Granholm, said Lance Binoniemi, executive director of the Lansing-based Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.

“We definitely think there is a market out there,” Binoniemi said Thursday. “Golf courses will probably want to open up and allow alcohol sales before noon on Sundays. Fine dining establishments may want to offer drinks at buffets.”

Workers leaving plants or manufacturing shops at the end of third shifts also would be able to stop by bars and taverns for a beer before going home if the bill passes, he added.