This is less “breaking news” than just  “confirmation of what was already expected”.

From The Champion Newspaper, the clearest statement yet from City of Decatur staff that the City Commission will put Sunday liquor sales on the November ballot.

“The [Decatur] city commission has asked staff to review the enabling legislation and to make a recommendation to have it come up [in a board meeting] and put a referendum on the November ballot,” said Decatur City Manager Peggy Merriss.

Merriss said although she can’t speculate on whether she thinks it would pass if put on the ballot, the city commissioners think that voters have a right to make the choice.

So limber up your voting fingers Decatur voting public!  Sunday liquor AND three commissioner spots up for reelection!  Wooo doggie!  It’s gonna be one humdinger Election Day in the ol’ DEC!

The GA House of Reps killed the Sunday alcohol sales bill today, along with the bill that would have doubled the homestead exemption for residents from $2k to $4k.

In terms of the alcohol bill, I’m not all that concerned about it anymore.  After three years of trying to get this bill out of the state house, I’m content with buying all my alcohol on Saturday.  As for the symbolic, “we are not a backwater” argument to passing it…I would like to point out that Connecticut still has the same law on its books.  So, whatever.  Can’t wait to read about it again next year!

As for the Homestead increase…good riddance.  I know lots of people are hurting out there right now, trying to make ends meet for a variety of reasons, but increasing the homestead in a year when all local governments are (hopefully) trying to “readjust” their budgets to this new economy, is just plain mean.  Let’s at least give the locals a little time before we up and tighten the belt on them further. Also as I’ve said before, it sure would be less hypocritical for the state to pass this bill after it had provided its own state tax relief.