The Metropolitan Council plans to put the Sunday alcohol ban to a vote Wednesday, and this time it could pass.
Baton Rouge residents approved ending the prohibition of wine and beer retail sales during Saturday’s election with 61 percent of voters opting to vote down the 50-year-old practice.
The council voted on the issue in May. But the attempt to amend the parish’s blue laws fell short by one vote.
If the blue laws are overturned, grocery stores and retail outlets will be allowed to sell liquor, beer and wine starting at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Restaurants and other venues that are already permitted to serve liquor on Sundays will be unaffected by the possible change.
Although the referendum passed by city-parish voters isn’t binding, it could help persuade the Metro Council to follow the will of the people.
Council member Darrell Ourso told The Daily Reveille this past week that it will help the council decide what direction it should take in regard to the issue, but that the council could decide to take a different stance than the parish voters.
—Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected].