St. Paul city council votes to oppose 4 a.m. bar closing time
The St. Paul City Council today opposed a bill that would allow bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention.
Council members predicted early morning headaches for residents who would have to put up with bar hoppers spilling into the parking lots. They also said the later hours would put a strain on the police department.
Council member Dave Thune, who represents downtown St. Paul, called the scene "a nightmare."
"Remember whose ward this is going to end up in -- it's mine. And I've got 8,000 people living downtown who don't want a bunch of puking Republican lobbyists on the streets at 4 in the morning," Thune said.
A RNC spokesman told Minnesota Public Radio his group didn't push for the later hours, and that the convention goers will be frequenting a number of businesses ranging from art museums to restaurants.
The council passed the resolution by a vote of 4 to 3.
The Legislature is expected to take up the issue next week.
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