Grover Norquist, the leader of Americans for Tax Reform in Washington, sent Georgia legislators a scorching letter this week rebuking them for bottling up a bill that would let local voters decide on Sunday sales of alcohol.
"The small handful of senators that seek to preserve the status quo by blocking an open debate on the matter of Sunday sales referenda are effectively supporting greater government regulation and unnecessary intervention in the private economy," says the letter, dated Feb. 28.
"Worse, opponents of [Senate Bill] 10 and [House Bill] 69 are opposing common sense legislation that would reduce the threat of tax increases on Georgia families and employees," it continues.
"I urge you to bring SB 10 & HB 69 to the floor for a vote. Let's have an open debate on this legislation which would empower citizens and eliminate an unnecessary impediment to private sector growth and job creation," it states.
Some Senate leaders, such as Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, and Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, sponsored the bill. And Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has voiced support for letting local voters decide. But the 36-member Republican caucus held a discussion and took a whip count, a secret vote, as to whether to let the bill move forward. Though the caucus would not reveal the tally, Rogers said a majority did not want to bring the bill to the floor of the Senate for discussion and a vote.
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