Panel considering Sunday alcohol sales

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana's one of just a handful of states where people can't buy beer, wine or liquor on Sundays. But that may change.

A committee started meeting Wednesday at the Statehouse to look at whether the state should loosen its Sunday sales law.

24-Hour News 8 wanted to get a sense for how changing the law might impact the lives of Hoosiers.

One young man employed at a liquor store said having to work on Sundays would be an unwanted change. Manny Fangman said he's glad he doesn't work Sundays.

"The way I was brought up, that day is going to church and family day and just kind of relaxing day. And to tell you the truth, the last place I want to be is work," said Fangman.

But, Manny may soon have no choice. The owner of the store where he works told 24-Hour News 8 if the state allows Sunday alcohol sales she'll have to stay open to compete with the grocery stores.

Wednesday's hearing at the Indiana Statehouse was the first for a panel called the Interim Study Committee on Alcoholic Beverages. Next week, it will take public testimony on issues such as Sunday sales of alcohol.

State Senator Jim Merritt is on the committee. He told 24-Hour News 8 he has polled 11,000 of his constituents on the issue of Sunday sales.

"This poll several years ago was 70% against having Sunday sales," Merritt said. "And that has moved significantly in the last couple of years, way above 50% for Sunday sales."

Merritt said he's still undecided on Sunday sales. But he adds, "The constituent is king here. And if they want convenience, I think that's going to be overwhelming. We'll just see if that comes out in testimony and that comes out in e-mails because I listen."

Merritt will be listening to testimony next week, when the public gets a chance to testify on Sunday sales. That hearing is next Tuesday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m. It'll be in room 404 at the Statehouse.