Alcohol laws in Indiana could change

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - Alcohol laws in Indiana could be changing.  Senator Ron Alting authored two bills.  But, Alting said alcohol bills won't be heard until the next legislative session.  One of those bills is to allow alcohol sales on election day.  I went to some area liquor stores, and those I spoke with agree that this law should be passed.

"The law is very outdated, it's probably 100 years old.  It comes from a time when politicians used to try and buy people's votes," said Stephen Rowlett.

"I think that's be a very good move, the law is antiquated. The days of buying and selling votes with alcohol are long long gone," said Camilla Cripps.

"We're closed 52 weeks out of the year on Sundays, so we feel anytime we can be open we'd like to be open.  It's a bill that's outdated and probably needs to be reformed," said Jeff Fader.

Three managers at area liquor stores say since there is early voting in Tippecanoe County and alcohol sales are permitted on those days there is no need to keep people from buying alcohol on the actual election day.  The other bill Alting is trying to pass would allow Sunday carryout of alcohol from micro-breweries.  Tippecanoe County's only brewing company isn't even open on Sunday.  However, if the bill passes Lafayette Brewing Company Owner Greg Emig said that will change.

"We would certainly like to be open on Sundays, and this bill would allow us to do that, plus generate a little more business than we might normally see," said Greg Emig.

Emig said if the doors could be opened on Sunday, it would actually benefit the community as well.

"We are talking about people not just coming to the brewery, but possibly staying at a hotel, hitting other shops in town," said Emig.

The two bills are still in the early stages.  The bills would have to pass through both the house and the senate, and Governor Mitch Daniels would have to sign them into law.