Minnesota Senator Works To Modernize State's Liquor Laws

STILLWATER, MN — A Minnesota Senator is hoping to modernize Minnesota's liquor laws. As the popularity of 3.2 beer dwindles, Republican Sen. Karin Housley is pushing a bill that would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell off-sale beer and wine.

"We’re two decades into the new millennium, but our liquor laws still reflect an era of Prohibition. It’s time to end the government monopoly, especially on a product so readily available in every one of our neighboring states," Housley, vice chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee, said in a statement.

"We knew it was only a matter of time before the market demanded we bring our liquor laws in line with the rest of the nation. As the production of 3.2 beer continues to zero out, grocery and convenience stores will soon have no choice but to lock the cooler doors indefinitely – ultimately resulting in fewer choices and higher costs for the consumer."

HEINEKEN USA and Constellation Brands recently announced they would no longer produce 3.2 percent alcohol beer, noting that Minnesota is the last state that still limits grocery and convenience stores to only selling 3.2 percent beer.