Dayton would sign Sunday liquor bill

Liquor store employee
Debra Knops faces shelves at B & L Liquor Store in Houlton, Wisc. April 9, 2012. The New Richmond, Wisc. resident is excited about the addition of the new St. Croix River Crossing bridge and highway in the area.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says he'd sign a bill allowing liquor stores to open on Sundays if lawmakers muster the votes to pass it.

Dayton told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that commerce is a seven-day-a-week proposition so he doesn't think it makes sense for government to dictate which businesses can operate on which days. The Democrat says that sentiment also applies to a Sunday sales ban for car dealerships.

The Sunday liquor sales bill has struggled to gain traction in the Legislature. Democratic Sen. Roger Reinert says Dayton's stance could help supporters build momentum for their 2014 push.

Minnesota is one of a dozen states with decades-old "blue laws" restricting Sunday booze sales. Customers can still order drinks in Minnesota bars and restaurants.

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