Sunday liquor sales advocates promise to keep fighting ban

Advocates for allowing Minnesotans to buy booze on Sundays are back at it.

Legalizing Sunday liquor sales is a perennial issue in the Legislature — and perennially unsuccessful. But proponents of undoing the state's old blue law say their increased efforts are gaining momentum.

Minnesota is one of just 12 states that ban liquor stores from opening on Sundays. Sen. Roger Reinert and Rep. Jenifer Loon unveiled their bills to change that Thursday.

Loon, an Eden Prairie Republican, says the new Republican House Speaker's support of Sunday sales may give their cause a boost this year.

The state's liquor store lobby and some of its members have helped defeat previous efforts. They argue opening on Sundays would increase costs but not profits.