A majority of Indiana residents favor a change in state laws that forbid the sale of alcohol on Sundays, according to a 2017 survey by the Bowen Center for Public Affairs. They could soon get their wish -- and they could get it ahead of schedule.
Senate Bill 1, which would allow grocery, liquor, convenience and drug stores to sell alcohol between noon and 8 p.m. Sundays, received an amendment Wednesday that would allow it to take effect immediately upon passage by the state congress. Before the amendment, it would have taken effect July 1.
Hoosiers such as Mary Collett were glad to hear it.
"In today's society, (the liquor sale ban) is just outdated," Collett said. "We have to drive to Ohio to buy beer in Ohio, which gives Ohio the money. And it's just out of the way."
Collett herself said she was about to start work at the West Side Liquor Store, a frequent haunt for thirsty Hoosiers on Sundays. Rosalind Pies, who works at Back's drive-through liquor store, said her business had benefited from Indiana's restrictions, too.
"They'll come and get three or four cases of (liquor) just to take back home," she said.
A committee approved the amended Senate Bill 1, but it still needs to survive the House -- which has already passed an almost-identical version -- and the Senate before Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb can sign it into law.
