ATLANTA (March 16, 2011) – State Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) released the following statement regarding the Georgia Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 10 Wednesday at the State Capitol.  SB 10 would allow local communities to hold voter referendums on whether or not to allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays in retail stores starting at 12:30 p.m.

“Let me first state that I am against the sale of alcohol on Sundays.  I highly doubt that this referendum would ever come to a vote in our district.  If it did come to a ballot, I would vote against Sunday sales and I am certain it would fail.”

“The main issue in this particular legislation is my belief in local control of public policy.  I have supported local control since my first day in office.  Every single decision on the sale of alcohol in Georgia has been decided at the local level, and Sunday sales should be no different.  Senate Bill 10 would allow for every community to decide for themselves if they want to sell alcohol or not.  My passion for local control is why I voted in favor of SB 10.”

“Another major factor for my “Yes” vote is my belief that giving local communities the power to hold their own referendums more than likely frees rural counties from being mandated to sell alcohol on Sundays.  Currently the Georgia General Assembly is controlled by mostly urban and suburban members.  If SB 10 failed, there could be a chance that the legislature could form a coalition and mandate the state as a whole sell alcohol as many of the metro counties support Sunday sales.  Instead we now have given every community, regardless of their stance on this issue, to decide if it is in the best interests of their citizens.”

– Sen. Jeff Mullis

SB 10 now heads to the Georgia House of Representatives for consideration.  If SB 10 passes the House, it will need to be signed by Governor Deal before becoming law.

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Sen. Jeff Mullis serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He represents the 53rd Senate district which includes Chattooga, Dade, and Walker counties and portions of Catoosa County.  He can be reached at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.0057 or by email at jeff.mullis@senate.ga.gov.